Bobcats Narrowly Defeated by RedHawks, 1-0

by Brett Compton

September 28, 2012

ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio Soccer matched up with a high-powered Miami offense on Friday afternoon, falling by a final score of 1-0 at Chessa Field. The Bobcat defense played strong throughout the contest, absorbing and deflecting Miami's pressure until the RedHawks scored the deciding goal in the 77th minute.

With the loss, Ohio sits at 6-5 on the season and 1-2 in Mid-American Conference play. The win for Miami improves the RedHawks to 9-2 (3-0 MAC).

Junior goalkeeper Mattie Liston (Lakewood, Ohio) made nine saves for the Bobcats in the loss, stopping a number of difficult shots by the visitors. Liston was not afraid to come off her line to collect dangerous crosses through significant pressure, preventing a number of additional scoring chances from fully developing.

Kelsey Dinges led the way offensively, generating a game-high eight shots for the RedHawks. Cathryn Rogers (Etobicoke, Ontario), Erin Schwenke (Solon, Ohio) and Tonya Frasik (Lebanon, Ohio) tied for a team high in shots for the Bobcats, each firing two total attempts. Frasik was quite accurate throughout the match, as both of her attempts on goal tested Miami goalkeeper Allison Norenberg.

Following some early pressure by the RedHawks, Schwenke nearly had the game's first goal in the fourth minute. After a deep defensive clear by the Ohio backline, the senior pounced on an uncertain exchange between two Miami defenders and found herself on a clear breakaway. Schwenke attempted to beat the onrushing Norenberg, but the Miami goalkeeper got just enough of the shot to help it ring off the post.

The teams battled through the rest of the first frame in a relatively even manner, with the RedHawks out-shooting the Bobcats by an 8-5 margin. Liston made two good saves in the first half to keep the match level at 0-0.

Miami stepped up its pressure in the second half, firing 14 total shots in the final 45 minutes. The RedHawks were able to find the lone goal in the match in the 77th minute when Jess Kodiak had the ball on her foot at the far post and was able to shoot it past Liston. Teammate Haley Walter made a good run up the right side of the field and struck a hard shot towards the far post from just inside the penalty area. Liston made a solid diving save, but the rebound spilled back into the six-yard box. Kodiak was ready and waiting, smartly passing the ball into the back of the net before the Bobcat defense could clear it from danger.

Ohio had a chance to equalize in the 83rd minute when it had a free kick in a relatively dangerous position, but Veronica Rock's shot at the end of the sequence was blocked by the Miami defense.

Ohio will next be in action on Sunday, Sept. 30 when Ball State comes to town. The Bobcats and the Cardinals will kick off from Chessa Field at 1 p.m.

Ohio Starting XI (Numerically): Mattie Liston (GK), Maggie Murnane, Cathryn Rogers, Paige Howard, Erin Feeney, Veronica Rock, Erin Schwenke, Natalie Bechtel, Holly Harris, Gabby Hausfeld, Grace Campbell