The Ohio soccer team was unable to climb in the Mid-American Conference standings this weekend, mustering a scoreless tie on Friday against Ball State and falling 3-0 yesterday to arch rival Miami.
The Bobcats (6-8-1, 4-3-1 MAC) were not able to match Friday's defensive effort on Sunday, allowing the Redhawks (6-7-2, 3-3-2 MAC) to tally three goals on eight shots. Ohio coach Stacy Strauss said she was less than enthused with her team's performance.
It wasn't good enough
she said. We just didn't match up with their urgency or intensity and we paid the price.
Miami forward Jodi Zwingelberg kicked off the scoring when she collected a loose rebound and found the net at the 16:41 mark. Forward Jackie Hardek made it 2-0 when she headed in a cross from teammate Allison Berkey at 35:00. Forward Kathleen Vistica capped off the game when she took a ball that bounced off the crossbar and knocked it past Ohio keeper Dominique Wright at the 76:51 mark.
Ohio defender Erika Schmitt said the Bobcats were outplayed from the start.
We weren't expecting their quickness or their physicality she said. They just jumped on us instead of us jumping on them.
Ohio's defense did stand up to the challenge on Friday against Ball State, holding the Cardinals (9-3-3, 4-2-1 MAC) scoreless while fending off eight shots on goal and 15 corner kicks. Unfortunately, the offense couldn't keep pace as the 'Cats were only able to muster one shot on goal, coming from forward Amy Lower.
The scoreless tie lasted through two overtimes and Strauss said the members of the team could hold their heads up high despite the bittersweet result.
I thought we played tough and with a lot of grit
she said. Obviously we're not extremely happy
but we're not angry or frustrated either.
Wright played all 110 minutes in goal on Friday and collected eight saves on the afternoon, marking a career high. Wright said she was impressed with the team's ability to stay on task during the marathon match in Muncie.
As far as goalkeeping goes
it's 90 percent mental
she explained. You have to stay focused. I thought the whole team did a good job of staying focused today. Coming away with a tie is better than coming away with a loss
so we'll take it.
With the end of conference play quickly approaching, Schmitt said the 'Cats can still make some noise despite the small slump.
We still have three big games coming up
Schmitt said. Our confidence is still,",17,Archives,Jess Mosser,200610162749midsize.jpg,Ohio midfielder Danielle Young battles with Toledo midfielder Tara Witt for control of the ball during Ohio's 3-0 loss to Toldeo on Oct. 8.,Freshman goalkeeper picks up 8 saves in draw,",",","
15883,2006-10-16 06:10:00,FIELD HOCKEY: Bobcats bounce back after tough loss,",The outlook was grim for the Ohio field hockey team
facing a potential mid-season collapse with Friday's 3-2 loss to Ball State with a match against a surging Miami team a day later.
But the Bobcats (8-7
5-2 MAC) put the RedHawks in check on Saturday with a 1-0 win in double overtime
