The Ohio soccer team solidified its hold on first place in the Mid-American Conference standings this weekend with its record sixth-and seventh-straight shutouts.
Forward Tiffany Horvath scored twice on the weekend, once in the 88th minute against Miami Friday to lift Ohio to a 1-0 win and once yesterday to open the scoring in a 3-0 Bobcat victory against Ball State.
I think we've proven what we've known all along
coach Stacy Strauss said. We have good ability to defend and play a good organized tactical game. We had a little bit more on the offensive end today
which was good to see. It sets the tone for the remaining five games in the conference.
The weekend was a test for the Bobcats (6-4-2 overall, 5-0-2 MAC), whose previous four shutout victories came against UNC-Charlotte, Akron, Toledo and Bowling Green -all struggling teams. But Ohio quashed any doubts by defeating Miami (6-4-1 overall, 4-1-1 MAC), who was second place in the MAC going into Friday, and Ball State (6-2-4 overall, 2-2-4 MAC), ranked No. 11 in the Great Lakes Region by Soccer Buzz Magazine.
Horvath's game-winner on Friday came with just 2:54 remaining and gave the Bobcats their fourth straight 1-0 win this season. It was yet another act of late-game heroics for Ohio's leading scorer (five goals, four assists), who scored with just 11 seconds left to lift Ohio to victory against Akron the previous Friday.
It was very emotional and intense
given the rivalry
Strauss said. We built momentum throughout the game and created more and more chances. By the end
it was just a question of when we'd score and win the game.
Horvath scored again yesterday, getting Ohio out to an early 1-0 lead and becoming the first Bobcat in school history to score a first-half goal all season. Forward Natalie Grein then scored twice in the second half to put the game away for the Bobcats.
Our forwards are becoming much more aware of each other's strengths and playing to them
said Grein, who now has four goals and an assist on the season. We had great movement on and off the ball and finished our chances.
Ohio midfielder Kendra Hornschemeier assisted Grein's second goal yesterday, giving her 29 career assists and moving her into a tie for second in MAC history.
Meanwhile, Ohio's defense continues to play air-tight. They limited Miami and Ball State to just 10 shots on goal combined and helped goalkeeper Michelle Meglaughlin move into a tie for career shutouts by a Bobcat goalkeeper, with 18.
This weekend speaks volumes about how well our defense is playing right now
Horvath said. We go into games knowing teams aren't going to score on us.
Yesterday's shutout was the seventh of the season and broke the school shutout streak record, which previously stood at five. Ohio has not allowed a goal in 734 minutes of play, dating back to a 1-1 tie against Northern Illinois on Sept. 10.
The Bobcats now have a three-point lead in the MAC. Their next potential victim is Marshall (3-7-3, 0-6-1 MAC). Ohio visits the Thundering Herd 8 p.m. Friday in Huntington, W. Va.
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