Ohio has a chance to start a win streak this weekend with two games on the docket.
First is a neutral site game against Central Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The matchup will be the first of two games between Ohio and Central Michigan this year. The second game of the weekend is a home game against Davidson.
Game Information
Friday
Opponent: Central Michigan
Location: Ocker Field (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
Date: Sept. 2, 2022
Time: 3 p.m.
Live stats can be found here
Sunday
Opponent: Davidson
Location: Pruitt Field (Athens, Ohio)
Date: Sept. 4, 2022
Time: 12 p.m.
Live stream can be accessed here
Live stats can be found here
Central Michigan scouting report
The Chippewas have an illustrious history of success, however, they have struggled recently. Since 2015, Central Michigan has won 17 of its last 104 games.
When Central Michigan won its opening game against Saint Louis, signs of life were exhibited, though. Regardless of the fact that it dropped the following match to American, Central Michigan is in a much better position than in years past.
In net for the Chippewas is junior Katie Maxim. Maxim has one shutout this season, a 2-0 victory to start the year. Her second game, however, did not go according to plan, as the Chippewas lost 4-0.
Nonetheless, Maxim has a lot of experience in net and has had success against the Bobcats. She held the Bobcats to just two goals with 11 saves in double overtime last October. The Bobcats emerged victorious that time, but the Chippewas are ready to put some stale narratives behind them.
Davidson scouting report
Similar to Central Michigan, Davidson has not experienced much success in recent years. It went 4-14 last season. This season, though, Davidson has turned a corner and started the season 2-0.
The Wildcats have never traveled to Athens in the all-time series. All four games the two have played were hosted in North Carolina. That being said, the Bobcats persevered through the lack of home cooking to a 4-0 all-time record, including a 3-2 victory in double overtime last season.
Davidson employs a younger group of players, but they make the most of their veteran leadership. Seniors Natalie Naticchia and Anna Sharp, as well as junior Charlie Kabelac, have scored all but one of Davidon’s goals this season.
The Wildcats focus on limiting the amount of good shots for their opponents. Their opponents have only had 12 of 23 shots fall on net. The defense is what keeps the Wildcats alive.
Eyes on Ohio
Nele Graner, the most-veteran player on the Bobcats’ roster, has impressed. Her ability to play through pressure on the net gives the entire coaching staff confidence in Graner moving forward. After the win against California, coach Johnstone had nothing but praise for the goalie.
“She really stayed focused during that pressure in the third quarter and it was really impressive from (Nele),” Johnstone said.
