Sophomore Tracy Hale didn't just have big shoes to fill. She came into the season trying to replace the best goalie in the history of the University of Cincinnati's women's soccer program - Christy Hoffman.

        But as the biggest weekend of the regular season approaches, the Bearcats again are built on stingy defense, led by Hale and the line of players in front of her: senior Stacey Kyser, senior Heather Herweh (Ursuline), junior Kristina Wilson (Glen Este) and sophomore Renee Balconi.

        “You can never go away from your strengths,” coach Meridy Glenn said. “We apply pressure from the front all the way to the back. That's definitely a UC trademark.”

        Cincinnati (11-2-2, 5-0-2 Conference USA) became nationally ranked this week (21st) by Soccer Buzz magazine. The Bearcats, in second place in their league, play host to first-place Charlotte (13-0-1, 6-0-1) at 6 p.m. Friday, then third-place Saint Louis at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Both matches are on campus at Meyers Field.

        Charlotte has the 10th-ranked offense in the nation. UC's defense ranks seventh.

        “This weekend's huge,” Herweh said.

        UC has won 22 consecutive C-USA regular-season matches dating to last season.

        The Bearcats are also 7-0-2 over their last nine matches and have seven straight shutouts, tying a school record. They have not given up a goal in 829 1/2 minutes.

        Which brings us back to Hale, who has given up more than one goal in only one game this season.

        “We have tons of confidence in her,” Wilson said.

        Hale's 0.52 goals-against average is eighth-best in the country. She last surrendered a goal Sept.22.

        “I know Christy (Hoffman) worked hard for everything that she gained,” Hale said. “Now I'm challenging myself with breaking the records that she set.”

        The Bearcats were a surprise in last year's NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16 before losing to Virginia 4-0.

        “We think about last season, and that gives us the motivation for this season,” Wilson said.

        E-mail mperry@enquirer.com

UC soccer team making a buzz

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