YPSILANTI, Mich. – Ohio Soccer lost to a tough Eastern Michigan squad on Friday night, falling by a final score of 2-1 in Mid-American Conference crossover play. Trailing 2-0 in the second half, Veronica Rock scored in the 74th minute to pull the ‘Cats within one but Ohio couldn’t find the equalizer in the final minutes.

Eastern Michigan’s Bianca Rossi had a strong day for the hosts, assisting on the game-winning goal in the 25th minute and scoring the team’s second goal in the 37th.

Erin Schwenke and Cathryn Rogers (Etobicoke, Ontario) led much of the Ohio offensive effort, combining for eight total shots in the match. The Bobcats attempted 13 total shots in the match, four of which were on goal. Eastern Michigan recorded 19 total shots, nine of which were on target.

The teams traded shots early on in the first half, each side searching for the opening goal. Chelsie Oddan tested Mattie Liston in the sixth minute and Angela Vultaggio added a shot on goal in the 12th minute. Liston was equal to each attempt and made the saves. These shots were followed by Rogers’ shot on goal in the 23rd minute, which Jenna O’Dell corralled to keep the game scoreless.

Eastern Michigan (8-5-1, 5-2 MAC) was able to break the deadlock in the 25th minute, scoring on a header by Cara Cutaia. The goal was Cutaia’s fifth of the season and was assisted by Bianca Rossi. The Eagles then added another goal in the 37th minute when Rossi found the back of the net, this time with an assist from Angela Vultaggio.

Just one minute before Rossi’s goal made it 2-0, Erin Schwenke (Solon, Ohio) rang a shot off the post.

Following EMU’s second goal, Ohio stepped up its offensive pressure. The Bobcats (7-7-1, 2-4-1 MAC) recorded three shots in an eight-minute span before Rock (North Royalton, Ohio) found the back of the net to cut the deficit in half. The goal was her first of the season and was assisted by teammate Maggie Murnane (Libertyville, Ill.).

The Bobcats fought hard to find the equalizing goal in the final minutes of the match but it was not meant to be. Holly Harris (Batavia, Ohio) had a shot attempt blocked in the 82nd minute before Gabby Hausfeld (Cincinnati, Ohio) directed a header on target in the 83rd. Hausfeld’s attempt was collected by O’Dell to preserve the Eagles’ 2-1 lead.

Ohio will next be in action on Sunday, Oct. 14 at Western Michigan. The Bobcats and Broncos will kick off at 1 p.m.

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

Goals:
Eastern Michigan – Cara Cutaia 5 (Bianca Rossi 4) 25’
Eastern Michigan – Bianca Rossi 6 (Angela Vultaggio 6) 37’
Ohio – Veronica Rock 1 (Maggie Murnane 2) 74’

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