The Bobcats kicked off Mid-American Conference play with a bang this weekend, toppling previously unbeaten Central Michigan on Friday 2-1 and defeating Eastern Michigan by a score of 2-1 on Sunday.
After Sunday's victory, Ohio coach Stacy Strauss said she felt strongly that the hard knocks taken by her team early in the season went a long way in pushing them to victory.
We discovered this weekend just how much we learned from our previous games
she said. We had played some very tough teams and that helped us come in and be able to play better than both our opponents this weekend.
Against Eastern Michigan (5-3-2, 1-1 MAC) the 'Cats (4-5, 2-0 MAC) battled through a scoreless first half where goalkeeper Dominique Wright recorded one save. At the half, Wright was replaced by teammate Jess MacLean, who has been rotating with Wright in Ohio's two-goalie system.
At the 58:22-mark forward Amy Lower headed in an Erika Schmitt free kick and put Ohio up 1-0. Lower had nothing but praise for her teammate after her second goal of the year.
It was the perfect ball she said. Erika is such a great player she can put the ball wherever she wants.
The 'Cats struck again at the 82:37-mark when forward Halle Plagens took a Lower assist and scored the first goal of her collegiate career. Leading 2-0, Ohio gave up a score to the Eagles' Maggie Christensen at 86:31.
The Bobcats were riding a wave of momentum into Sunday after besting the Chippewas (8-1, 1-1 MAC) on Friday. In that game, Ohio gave up the first goal to Central Michigan but rebounded quickly when forward Jasmine Merith took a Chippewa turnover and placed the ball over keeper Anne Decker from the top of the box.
In the second half, forward Lindsey Price was able to take a rebound off another Schmitt free kick and find the back of the net to take the lead for good at the 54:37 mark. Merith said she felt it was the team's demeanor that carried them to victory.
We came out with a lot of heart she said. We looked at it (MAC play) like a clean slate. We came in knowing we could play with this team and that's what we did.
Strauss was quick to point out the possessive style of play the Bobcats applied this weekend.
I felt that our physical play was an edge
she said. I thought we were a little more dangerous in attacking and when our possession was strong it gave us good results.
Regardless of the cause, the 'Cats are happy with the results.
By winning these two games we're establishing ourselves as a strong team
said Lower. Teams are going to stop overlooking us now. We've really opened their eyes.
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Bobcats' midfielder Erika Schmitt tallied an assist in both of Ohio's victories over the weekend. It is the first time since 2002 that the Bobcats have started their conference schedule 2-0.
