BY KELLIE TAYLOR
Enquirer contributor
The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team will face its biggest challenge when it meets the nation's top-ranked team, Southern Methodist University , at 5:30 p.m. today in a neutral site game in St. Louis.
"I think we come into this game with a good deal of confidence in how we are playing," UC coach Jeff Cook said.
The Bearcats, who have outscored opponents 9-3 in four games this season, have never faced a No. 1 team in the history of the soccer program.
"SMU is a tough team that has long been a traditional power," Cook said. "I hope this game will be great preparation for us and allow us to find out where we are and where we need to improve."
SMU earned the ranking as the nation's top team in Monday's Soccer America poll after beating then No. 1 Indiana and No. 5 Creighton last weekend. The team is led by midfielder Carl Bussey, who has scored two goals and has an assist this season and defender Tony Soto.
UC's leading scorer this season is freshman reserve Kyle Meador, who has two goals and two assists.
Bearcat goalkeeper Jake Witkowski has a 0.75 goals against average and has recorded two shutouts in four games.