The Bobcats have
flexibility
Coach Stacy Strauss has used combinations of different players and lineups so far this season. With a young team, it gives her plenty of options.
We knew we had a lot of depth coming into the season
Strauss said. Certainly the freshman class has been able to step in and help us at a lot of different positions.
Strauss continued to experiment Sunday, as sophomore defender Lauren Burke, sophomore forward Laura Dieter and senior forward Amy Lower all started for the first time this year. Junior Rachael Goulding usually plays defense, but saw action as a forward and tallied four shots.
Strauss said she did not expect to change the lineup as much as she has.
Some players have had inconsistent performances Strauss said. So when you have great depth you give other people a chance.
No retaliation here
Ohio played two physical matches over the weekend.
Both teams were shoving each other throughout the contest Friday, even after Central Michigan had a multiple-goal lead, winning 4-0. The officials let the teams play, and did not hand out a single card to either squad.
The same could not be said for Sunday.
The officials handed out four yellow cards, three of them given to Eastern Michigan players. Through all of the physicality, the Bobcats did not retaliate.
I thought we were the more composed team
Strauss said. And you have to expect that every game in the (Mid-American Conference) is going to be a physical battle.
More overtime
Extra time on Sunday was nothing new to the Bobcats.
For the third consecutive year, and the fourth out of the last five, Ohio and Eastern Michigan went to overtime. The Bobcats tied 1-1 in 2007 and lost 2-1 last year. This year, Ohio tied the Eagles 0-0.
Sunday's contest was the first overtime affair for Ohio this season.
I think we were all a little tired
Burke said. But I feel like when you're in the heat of the moment
you can push through basically anything.
Injury news
Sophomore defender Remi Famodu limped off the field toward the end of Friday's game and played Sunday with her thigh wrapped.
Freshman defender Joana Bielefeld left Sunday's game with an apparent leg injury.
Strauss said the injuries were minor and everybody should be ready to go for Friday.
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Sports
Vince Nairn
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