The Ohio Bobcats (3-4, 0-1 in the Mid-American Conference) opened up conference play hosting the back-to-back MAC champions the Western Michigan University Broncos (3-2-3, 1-0 in MAC) Thursday evening where the Broncos defeated the Bobcats 3-2 at Chessa Field.
The Broncos opened with the first possession where they’d be awarded two free kicks in the first thirty seconds of the match. The Broncos couldn’t capitalize on the fouls as both teams fought back and forth.
After multiple throw-ins headed into the sixth minute, junior Sania Dearing broke through, placing a shot blocked by the defense before getting the deflection and sending in another bottom center shot that was saved by the Bronco’s Reagan Sulaver in the seventh minute.
Ohio continued to put pressure on the Broncos with a corner kick at the eight minute mark, to no result. After three minutes of back and forth battles for possession, junior Iro Fakinou was awarded a free kick nearing the end of the tenth minute.
The free kick set the Bobcats up perfectly halfway through the eleventh minute as sophomore McKenna Hogan sent a beautiful left post cross to Fakinou who fired it top right to give the Bobcats a 1-0 lead.
In the 13th minute, the Broncos looked to respond as they sent in a bottom left shot saved by freshman Ayla Rammel. Rammel pushed the tempo for the Bobcats as the team stormed down the field forcing a corner kick thirty seconds later.
The Bobcats sent in a slow rolling ball outside the box to redshirt senior Ella Deevers who’d bury it home top left to extend the Bobcat lead to 2-0 with seconds to go in the 14th minute.
The Broncos put pressure on the Bobcats, sending in two off-target shots heading into the 20th minute. A minute later Rammel would add her second save of the game off a bottom center shot from the Broncos.
After several substitutions from both sides, Dearing would continue to find holes in the defense, sending in her third shot of the half bottom center saved by Sulaver. After back-to-back fouls, the Bobcats would continue to play aggressively, setting up a corner kick in the 30th minute.
The Bobcats would send in a high crosser received by senior Jamaison Brooker who’d send in back-to-back shots where Sulaver would make two fantastic saves to keep the deficit to two.
Sulaver would continue to battle in the net for the Broncos picking up her fifth save of the half on a shot from freshman Ava Bell in the 35th minute.
After fighting for possession, Rammel would nab her third save of the half on a bottom center shot in the 40th minute.
A minute later, the Bobcats charged down the field where freshman Camille Francis found an opening, sending in a bottom left shot saved by the keeper.
After neither team would give in the final minutes of the half, the Bobcats would lead 2-0 going into halftime.
The second half would start off with both sides getting a foul, resulting in a Bobcat free kick after the Broncos were given a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct.
After an offside, the Bobcats stormed down the field where Dearing would send in an off-target shot in the 53rd minute.
The Broncos turned the missed shot into a scoring opportunity moving the ball swiftly down the field as Kaiya Stewart would send in a shot saved by Rammel before getting her rebound and booming the ball center net for the Broncos first goal of the game.
The Broncos continued to swing momentum pushing two more shots on goal before breaking through again in the 63rd minute.
After gaining possession from a Bobcat throw, the Broncos set up their offense where Tessa Fagerson would tie the game 2-2 on a shot sniping the top left corner.
Three minutes later, Fakinou would push into Bronco territory, sending in a shot falling just wide of the net.
The Broncos offense continued to show their dominance, placing three more shots on goal with Rammel making a great save in the 80th minute.
In the 87th minute the Broncos would settle the offense in passing the ball in Bobcat territory where they’d get a shot off, but Rammel would make another great save where the Broncos would regain possession and set up for a golden opportunity.
Off the rebound, Dearing would pick up a foul in the box setting the Broncos up for a penalty kick with two minutes left.
As Rammel prepared the field went silent anticipating the next move, Fagerson would charge in and swing her foot into a top right shot, hitting the back of the net giving the Broncos the lead 3-2.
The Bobcats failed to respond in the final two minutes as they fell in a heartbreaking 3-2. Dearing and Brooker would combine for seven shots on goal.
Fakinou would score her first goal of the season while Deevers would net her second. Rammel had a fantastic night in goal, nabbing six saves on nine shots.
The Bobcats look to bounce back Sunday as they take on Umass at noon at Chessa Field.
