Cincinnati State soccer program has gotten off to a strong start for the 2010 season.

Aja Byrd leads the Cincinnati State Soccer Women’s Team in goals and assists. Photo provided As a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association, the Cincinnati State men’s team is currently ranked third in the national poll with a 9-2 overall record that includes a victory over number two ranked Georgia Perimeter.

In its first 11 games, Cincinnati State has outscored opponents 72-11.

Second year forward Ashton Bennett, a native of Jamaica, has really caught fire playing in his second year for the Surge. Through the first nine games of the season he led the NJCAA in 13 goals and 11 assists.

“What is the most impressive about Ashton’s season so far is that he has put up the stats in limited time,” says Cincinnati State Head Coach Mike Combs. “We have been able to get big leads early in most of our games which has allowed me to sit Ashton and our other starters in the second half.”

Cincinnati State Soccer Men’s Team player Ashton Bennett makes a game winning shot. Photo provided During a tough first year that included a nagging hamstring injury, Bennett, a forward, recorded 11 goals and three assists. With a full year to recover and get acclimated with the Cincinnati area, Bennett says he now feels comfortable on the field and in the classroom, where he is maintaining a 3.5+ GPA.

“It took me a while to get used to the different style of play in the states,” Bennett says. “From a tactical standpoint, it took some getting used too while at the same time adjusting to everyday living in Cincinnati. I now feel comfortable and my results show that.”

In addition to extraordinary play from Bennett and a seasoned cadre of veterans, Cincinnati State has had strong goal tending. Starting keeper and reigning OCCAC Goalie of the Year Austin Morgan has posted a 0.50 goal against average while saving 24 of the 27 shots he has faced through the first nine games.

The Cincinnati State women’s soccer team, which last year was hampered by a string of injuries, is off to a very good start in 2010.

The team record now stands at 7-2 after playing three matches in three days on the road Sept. 24-26.

After losing 1-0 in what Coach Wil Cagle described as a “tremendous’’ game recently against Schoolcraft College, a traditional powerhouse in soccer, the Lady Surge defeated Jackson Community College 3-0, and then traveled to Toledo, where they beat Owens Community College 6-1.