Ohio’s attempt at a come-from-behind win was thwarted by Eastern Michigan Friday as the Bobcats were defeated 2-1.
The Bobcats had several chances to equalize but the Eagles outshot the Bobcats 19-13, a problem that has plagued Ohio all season.
Eastern Michigan scored in the 24th minute off the head of junior midfielder Cara Cutaia for her fifth goal on the season to take in the early lead in the tilt.
Ohio had a chance to tie but forward Erin Schwenke's shot clanged off the post.
Eastern Michigan scored again the 36th minute of the foot of sophomore forward Bianca Rossi to take a commanding 2-0 lead with nine minutes remaining in the first half.
The Bobcats tried to respond before halftime, firing off three shots in a span of three minutes but none found the back of the net.
The Bobcats had not trailed at halftime by more than a goal since their game against DePaul back in August.
Ohio got on the board in the 73rd minute, when senior forward Veronica Rock scored her first goal of the season off an assist from junior midfielder Maggie Murnane.
Rock said she was relieved to goal number one out of the way.
“It definitely felt great to get my first goal of the season,” Rock said. “I've had several other shots that nearly missed, so it was good to finish that chance. Just wish it would have come sooner.”
Strauss said Rock’s goal gave the team an offensive boost but it was too little, too late.
“It was a great shot from Ronni and something that we encouraged her to do given the way that EMU defended,” Strauss said. “It gave the team some confidence and a lift in energy that should have been present from the opening minutes.”
The Bobcats had two big chances at the end of the game to possibly force overtime. In the 81st minute, Ohio freshman forward Holly Harris’s shot was blocked, which preceded their chance to score off a corner kick, but sophomore defender Gabby Hausfeld’s header was saved by Eagles redshirt freshman keeper Jenna O’Dell.
“This was a tough one,” Rock said. “Especially because we proved ourselves to be the better team in the second half. EMU made the most of our mistakes in the first half and that was the difference.”
Ohio will return to the pitch when they take on Western Michigan on the road Sunday at 1:00.
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