It was a busy week across Cincinnati athletics, with the Bearcats competing across the football field, soccer pitch, volleyball court and golf course while the baseball team delivered one of the weekend’s biggest highlights.
Cincinnati football suffered its first loss of the season in Tucson, while women’s soccer and volleyball both battled through difficult conference matchups. Meanwhile, the women’s golf team continued to build momentum with a runner-up finish, the men’s golf team secured a top-five finish, and Cincinnati baseball closed the week with an impressive offensive outburst against Kentucky.
Here’s a look back at the week that was for Cincinnati athletics.
Football
Cincinnati football suffered its first loss of the 2026 season on Saturday, falling 34-7 to Arizona in Tucson.
The loss drops Cincinnati to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in Big 12 play. The Bearcats will now have a chance to regroup during their upcoming bye week before returning to action against West Virginia. You can read our full game recap below.
Women’s Soccer
Cincinnati women’s soccer continued its demanding Big 12 schedule Thursday night, hosting Arizona State at Gettler Stadium.
The Bearcats battled the Sun Devils in a defensive struggle, but Arizona State ultimately escaped Cincinnati with a 1-0 victory.
Cincinnati’s defense held firm for much of the match despite Arizona State’s offensive pressure, keeping the Bearcats within striking distance throughout the contest. However, Cincinnati couldn’t generate the goal it needed to level the match before the final whistle.
The Bearcats will look to quickly turn the page as Utah comes to town for their next matchup.
Women’s Volleyball
Cincinnati volleyball hit the road Friday for a Big 12 matchup with Houston, but the Bearcats couldn’t finish the job after splitting the opening two sets.
Houston eventually pulled away with late runs in the third and fourth sets, handing Cincinnati a 3-1 defeat.
The Bearcats showed plenty of fight early in the match, but Houston’s ability to execute in the critical moments ultimately decided the contest. Cincinnati now turns its attention toward another road challenge at UCF before returning home to Fifth Third Arena.
For head coach Molly Alvey and the Bearcats, the early portion of the conference schedule continues to provide valuable opportunities to learn and improve against Big 12 competition.
Women’s Golf
The Cincinnati women’s golf team put together one of its strongest weeks of the fall.
The Bearcats opened the week with a second-place finish at the Powercat Classic in Manhattan, Kansas, finishing runner-up among 12 teams on September 28-29.
Cincinnati received strong individual performances throughout the tournament at Colbert Hills Golf Club, helping the Bearcats establish momentum heading into their next challenge.
That momentum carried into the Blessings Collegiate Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Cincinnati opened the prestigious tournament on Saturday, October 3, navigating a difficult first round while keeping itself within position to make a run as the event continues.
Head coach Aimee Ponte’s squad will look to build on its strong start as the tournament progresses.
Men’s Golf
The Cincinnati men’s golf team also secured a top-five finish during the week.
The Bearcats competed at the Jim DeLapa Collegiate from September 28-29 and made a strong push on Monday, climbing to the top of the leaderboard during the opening portion of the tournament.
Cincinnati ultimately finished fifth out of 13 teams when play concluded Tuesday.
With the Jim DeLapa Collegiate now behind them, the Bearcats spent the remainder of the week preparing for their next tournament. Cincinnati will travel to Lexington Country Club for the Cullan Brown Collegiate, with competition scheduled to begin Monday, October 5.
Baseball
While Cincinnati football endured its first loss of the season, the Bearcats baseball team provided one of the week’s biggest wins.
Cincinnati defeated Kentucky 13-4 in a 14-inning fall exhibition Saturday at Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio.
The game remained tightly contested for much of the afternoon, with the teams deadlocked at 4-4 deep into the extra innings. Cincinnati’s offense then erupted in the bottom of the 11th, sending nine runs across the plate and completely breaking the game open.
Freshman Landyn Dykes delivered the biggest blow of the inning, launching a grand slam that put the Bearcats firmly in control.
The 13-4 victory gives head coach Jordan Bischel’s team plenty of momentum as Cincinnati continues its fall-ball schedule over the coming weeks.
Looking Ahead
The coming week will give several Cincinnati programs an opportunity to bounce back and build on their recent performances.
Basketball gets started with their first exhibition on Wednesday against Ohio State, football gets a much-needed bye week after its first loss of the season, while women’s soccer returns home to face Utah. Volleyball heads to UCF before returning to Fifth Third Arena, and men’s golf gets back on the course at the Cullan Brown Collegiate.
After a week that featured both setbacks and standout performances, the Bearcats will look to carry the positives forward as October continues.
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