Maddie Reidenbach
Research Assistant, Communication and Strategic Brand Engagement
CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati women’s soccer program opens the 2024 season on Thursday at home in Gettler Stadium against Murray State.
Kick-off is at 7 p.m. and admission is free for all fans.
The Bearcats then travel to Toledo to face the Rockets on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Cincinnati begins its second year in the Big 12 and is ranked 12th in the conference’s preseason poll.
// CLIFTON TRUST
Head Coach Erika Demers and her staff adopted a saying at the beginning of the season to help the team adapt to the changes ahead and to embody the team’s attitude and style of play: “Play with Clifton Confidence.”
The effect of Clifton Confidence was evident during the game against BYU, then ranked No. 6, when the team shocked the Cougars and the 5,000 fans in attendance to escape with a 1-1 tie against one of the highest-scoring teams in the country and ultimately advance to the Final Four of the 2023 College Cup.
// The new kids in the block
The Bearcats’ 2024 roster consists of eight newcomers and three transfer players. Coley Sidloski (State of Ohio), Ashlyn Basinger (Maryland) and Jenna Daveler (Old Dominion) all have college experience.
During the spring season, Sidloski was an instant impact player for the Bearcats, scoring two goals in two games. She also scored the first goal in Cincinnati’s exhibition match against the Northern Kentucky Norse.
// WE PLAY FOR 3
Junior transfer Coley Sidloski will wear No. 3 this year in honor of her sister and former UC student-athlete Ally Sidloski, who passed away in 2021. This will be the first time No. 3 will be worn since 2022. Vanessa DiNardo most recently did so, also in honor of Ally. DiNardo scored the team’s first goal of the 2022 season in the win at NKU.
// SCOUT THE RACERS
Murray State has 17 returnees, six freshmen and two transfers on its 2024 roster. The team is led by four team captains, graduate Hailey Cole, senior Morgan Bodker and juniors Tori Schrimpf and Mary Hardy.
The Racers played an exhibition game against the Chattanooga Mocs last week, where the Racers outscored the Mocs 9-7 with both teams scoring three corner kicks each.
Murray State finished fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference with a final record of 3-2-5.
// EXPLORE THE ROCKETS
Toledo returns 15 members from its 2023 roster, including three notable transfers that bring experience to the program. Women’s soccer head coach Mark Batman announced the addition of transfer students Tori Lyncha, Dalaney Ranallo and Agnes Stenlund to the 2024 roster.
The Rockets finished fourth in the MAC after being eliminated from the conference tournament last season with a loss to Western Michigan.
Head coach Mark Batman is entering his second season as coach. Batman previously served as head coach of the Ohio Northern University women’s soccer team since 2004. He is the winningest coach in ONU history, compiling a record of 253-91-40 in 19 seasons, including 136-24-11 in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC).
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For the latest information on women’s soccer in Cincinnati, follow @GoBearcatsWSOC on Instagram, X and Facebook.
