Ohio (5-9, Mid-American Conference 3-3) defeated Kent State (3-9, MAC 2-4) in a high scoring 6-4 match. The Bobcats extended their win streak to three. The six goals marked Ohio’s highest tally of the season. The underclassman showed up as three freshmen scored. Tiana Nhamoinesu led the Bobcats with two goals, while senior Sasha Dikotla scored a goal and an assist. The Golden Flashes produced offensive chances as well, totaling 13 shots on goal from 19 attempts.
The Bobcats started strong, earning a corner and a shot. The Golden Flashes fought back. Emma Seger scored on a rebound after Bobcat goalie Ash Stephenson made a save.
Then, Ohio returned the favor and scored off a rebound. Kent State’s goalie Allison Wood saved Mattea Vest’s shot. Dikotla collected the rebound and put the ball in the back of the net. A minute later, junior Emily Beitzel scored following an Ohio penalty corner. Dikotla’s assist on the play was her tenth point of the season.
The third goal for the Bobcats also resulted from a rebound. Emily Robertson made a rare defensive save for the Golden Flashes. Freshman Iona Roderick, who made the original shot, scored after the save. This was her first goal as a Bobcat.
Following a productive first quarter, each team recorded a point in the second. Nhamoinesu kept Ohio’s offensive momentum going. Her unassisted goal brought the team’s score to four. Kent State stepped up on defense and blocked Ohio’s next two shots. Kent State’s goal once again preceded by a rebound. Eva Usoz added to her season total of four goals.
Nhamoinesu scored a quick goal in the third, her second of the game and sixth point of the year. Freshman Ava Florence recorded the assist. Wood made a save on Dikotla’s shot, and two more of the Bobcats’ shots were blocked. The Golden Flashes’ senior forward Emma Rolston almost notched a goal, but the ball bounced off the post. Rolston leads the Flashes with 13 points this season. Bobcat freshman Adi Geer tallied her first goal of the season. With a second left in the quarter, Kent State’s Lauren Conroy scored after the team earned a corner penalty.
Although the Golden Flashes tallied another goal courtesy of Marissa Skinner, they could not muscle their way back into the game. Stephenson made three saves against the Flashes’ corner unit. Deborah James capped off the game with a defensive save.
Next, the Bobcats take on Longwood (3-10, MAC 1-5) Oct. 19 at 12 p.m. at home. With three games remaining before the MAC tournament, the Bobcats need to keep their winning streak alive. Their offense has steadily increased as the season has progressed. Like Kent State, Longwood struggled this season, but Ohio must show up with both an excellent offense and a strong defense.
