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Izzi Boyd (#25) battles for possession of the ball during the Ohio University home game at Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio, on March 4, 2021. The Bobcats lost to the Redhawks 0-1.

Soccer: Ohio comes up short in overtime loss to Bowling Green

After a disappointing loss to Miami to open their season, Ohio faced a daunting task: visiting one of the best teams in the Mid-American Conference, Bowling Green.

The Bobcats held strong, despite being outplayed for most of the match and forced overtime, but they could only hold off the two-time defending MAC Champions for so long. Just three minutes into overtime, a Bowling Green corner was deflected at the near post and finished at the back post by Falcon sophomore Kennedy White.

It was a heartbreaking 1-0 loss for the Bobcats, who had defended well all match. They had absorbed pressure for most of the first half and done a good job limiting Bowling Green’s scoring opportunities. After a first half stalemate, the Falcons started the second half with a flurry of chances, but Ohio grew into the match as the half went on.

The second half went back and forth and both teams had chances as the clock wound down, but neither side could find the breakthrough. In overtime, the Falcons started on the front foot, as they had been all match long.

They won an indirect free kick in Ohio’s box that was fired just over the bar. About a minute later, Ohio goalkeeper Sydney Malham made a phenomenal save to keep the Bobcats in the match, but the ensuing corner resulted in Bowling Green’s winner.

The Bobcats’ defense was led by junior center-back Olivia Sensky, who had a great match both on and off the ball, defending well and helping start Ohio’s attacks. Malham also played well and made a number of important saves.

In the attack, Ohio’s most threatening player was junior Abby Townsend, who consistently used her speed to cause problems for Bowling Green. A significant part of the Bobcats’ attack was based around getting the ball to Townsend, and they suffered when she was off the pitch.

Looking ahead, the Bobcats need to get their season on track, as they do not have very much time to turn it around with the shortened schedule this year. Their next game is Sunday, March 14 in Athens against Akron.

@willocunningham 

wc425318@ohio.edu

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