The Bobcats are on fire, having won three consecutive games while outscoring their opposition 10-3 in during the three contests.
Ohio (3-2-1) will play just one game this weekend, when it heads to Youngstown State on Friday, though the Penguins’ season is headed in the opposite direction.
Youngstown State is 0-4-1 since winning its opener against Niagara. The Penguins defeated the Purple Eagles 2-1 — the same final score from when Ohio defeated Niagara last week.
Regardless of Youngstown State’s record, the Bobcats are taking the squad seriously, as another non-conference win would improve their winning streak to four games.
“We can’t take anybody lightly — every game is a new challenge,” said head coach Aaron Rodgers. “They’ll present a new challenge that we haven’t faced yet. I’m most worried and most interested about what we can do and how we can play within our style and then hopefully the results will take care of themselves.”
Many Bobcats are familiar with Youngstown State after last season’s 1-0 victory in Athens.
Although Ohio will play in Youngstown this season, the Bobcats expect an equally tough test.
“I think they’re going to be a good team,” sophomore defender Grace Campbell said. “Last year, they battled us and they’re going to be super physical and as long as we are organized and on top of our game we should be good.”
If the Bobcat offense stays consistent as it has through the winning streak, the Penguins could be in for a long day. Rodgers said he likes what he’s seeing because the whole team is jumping into the attacking play, making the Bobcats lethal and unpredictable.
“I knew we had plenty of people capable of scoring goals and I’m happy to see so many getting on the scorers sheet,” Rodgers said. “I mentioned this on the radio show the other night, talking about Tanya Fransik having three assists, this is what I want. I want our outside backs getting involved in the attack. The more people we have scoring the better.”
Youngstown has only been able to manage to score three goals all season, with two of those coming against Niagara. Ohio will attempt to keep the Penguins at bay and look for Rodgers’ first shutout at the helm of the Bobcats.
“Shutouts are always a goal,” Rodgers said. “We always want to score goals and not give up any, so it would be nice for the defensive unit and for the team.”
“As I said we defend as a team and those were the clips I showed the team in video. We’re defending from the forward line to the goalkeeper. A shutout is a great compliment to the entire team’s defensive responsibilities.”
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