Ohio Edged by Buffalo Penalty, 1-0

by Brett Compton

October 7, 2012

ATHENS, Ohio – Ohio Women’s Soccer lost a close match to the visiting Buffalo Bulls on Sunday afternoon at Chessa Field, falling by a final score of 1-0. Courtney Mann’s successful penalty attempt in the 18th minute proved to be the only difference in the match.

Each team registered a total of 16 shots throughout the contest. Buffalo hit 10 of its shots on target while the ‘Cats recorded three on frame. Ohio (7-6-1, 2-3-1 MAC) received solid goalkeeping play from both Nicole Amari and Rachel Fryan (Racine, Wis.), each of whom played one half of the match. Amari made five saves while Fryan stopped four Buffalo shots.

Maggie Murnane (Libertyville, Ill.) led the way offensively for the Green and White. The junior fired three total shots in the match, playing the entire 90 minutes of the contest. She was matched in total shots by Courtney Gross, who also registered three attempts.

The Bobcats and Bulls battled for possession in the midfield for much of the first half. Paige Howard (Mentor, Ohio) had the first good chance of the match, firing a shot on target in just the third minute of play. Ainsley Wheldon was in the right spot, however, and was able to make the save.

In the 17th minute, Buffalo (3-9-2, 1-4-1 MAC) was awarded a penalty. Taylor Thompson was charging down the middle of the field after a long pass made its way over the Ohio defense. Amari (Vernon Hills, Ill.) ran out and made the initial save on the shot attempt, but was whistled for a foul inside the penalty area. Courtney Mann stepped up to the spot in the 18th minute and hit a shot to the top-right corner, giving the Bulls a 1-0 advantage.

The Bobcats pressed hard in the second half, looking for the equalizer. Despite earning five corners and generating eight shots in the second frame, Ohio had difficulty putting them on target. Wheldon was tested once in the final 45 minutes when Veronica Rock (North Royalton, Ohio) fired a hard shot on goal in the 59th minute.

Ohio will next be in action on Friday, Oct. 12 at Eastern Michigan. The Bobcats and Eagles will kick off at 3 p.m.

Ohio Starting XI (Numerically): Murnane, Rogers, Howard, Feeney, Schwenke, Bechtel, Harris, Hausfeld, Finley, Campbell, Amari (GK)

Goals:
Buffalo – Courtney Mann 2 (Penalty) 18’