The final nail in the Ohio soccer team's coffin has been placed.
The Bobcats' hopes of participating in the Mid-American Conference tournament officially were eliminated after Friday's heart-breaking 3-2 loss at Kent State. Ohio would then add to its eight-game losing streak yesterday at Buffalo, dropping another close match 1-0.
In Friday's match at Kent State, the Bobcats put together one of their best performances of the season, but a collapse in the final 12 minutes led to a 3-2 loss. Ohio took a 1-0 lead late in the first half when Lindsey Price took a Sarah Merritt pass across the middle and knocked it into the far corner of the net.
With the goal, Price now leads the team with five on the season.
The duo of Price and Merritt would hook up once again in the 68th minute when Price served a ball to Merritt who would then head it in from eight yards out to give the team a 2-0 lead and apparent control of the match.
The Bobcats suffered a crucial loss in the middle of the second half when co-captain Sara Williams went out with a rib injury. Kent State took advantage of the defender's absence by scoring three goals in the final 12 minutes, delivering a harsh blow to Ohio's minute postseason chances.
Coach Stacy Strauss said she felt that, despite the collapse, the team played its best so far this year at Kent State.
It was probably one of our best performances this season
she said. We played very hard and very well. We just gave them a few crucial chances on corner kicks and they capitalized on all of them. It was definitely a heartbreaking game but I could not have asked much more from the team.
In yesterday's action, Ohio would fail to find the net for the sixth time this season in a 1-0 loss at Buffalo. An early goal by Buffalo forward Kelley Vander Mallie in the third minute proved to be the game-winner.
We were just missing that edge and intensity in today's game
Strauss said. We didn't quite control possession well early on and they took advantage of it.
Strauss also said the Bobcats dominated possession for the majority of the game, but were unable to capitalize on opportunities.
Ohio will wrap up its 2005 campaign Friday when the team travels to Akron. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. - Andrew Gribble
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Andrew Gribble
