Two weeks ago, Ohio sat atop the east division of the Mid-American Conference and was looking like a team ready to make a deep run in the tournament, peaking at the right time. Then in one single weekend, the Bobcats starting line-up was torn apart by injuries, losing four starters, two of which defenders.
Before the game on Friday, Oct. 14 against Miami, Ohio lost senior defensive midfielder and starter Sara Seitz to too many concussions. Against Miami late in the game, Mattie Liston went out for the ball to make a game-saving dive, but limped off the field later. Liston has now been replaced by freshman Nicole Amari at starting goalkeeper for the past three games.
Following Friday, the team took two more major hits in the defense against Bowling Green. Center defender Kim Nordtveit went into a tackle and injured her leg and has not played since. Paige Howard then went to clear the ball and collided with goalkeeper Nicole Amari. Howard suffered major mouth injuries and is most likely done for the rest of the season.
The injuries to the team was something Strauss was forced to cope with but in looking at a month worth of games and splitting the two weekends before the injuries to the two weeks after. It is difficult not to see the injuries have made a significant impact on the team, especially the defense.
From Sept. 30th to Oct. 9, Ohio played a string of four consecutive away games against Western Michigan, Northern Illinois, Toledo and Ball State. In which they grabbed two wins, a tie and a 2-0 loss to number 1 overall Toledo. The seven points earned all on the road during that two week span is a harsh contrast to the other half of the month. The Bobcats were in first in the east division on Oct. 9.
Ohio played three home games and one away game during the span of time between Oct. 14 and Oct. 23. During that time, they played all competition against eastern opponents including, Miami, Bowling Green, Buffalo and Kent State. During that time Ohio picked up one win and a tie, earning four points and losing a critical game to Kent State and Miami to sink to second in the east and the possibility of being out of the tournament.
During the last two weeks of games, Ohio has given up a goal in the last three minutes of the last three of four games. Against Miami, the Bobcats were scored on with ten seconds remaining and then scored on in overtime to lose. The next week, Buffalo scored with under three minutes remaining to earn a tie and at Kent State, Ohio was scored on with one second to lose in regulation time.
Losing four starters is difficult to cope but it is a testament to the team of how deep the bench is that they have played so well under the circumstances. The injuries have given several players who typically sat the bench to show what they can do. Senior Laura Dieter, who has been a starter here and there this season has stepped up as a starter at forward and midfield while other players move about.
Gabby Hausfield and Katie Kemen have filled the void that Seitz has left while Nicolle Varney and Natalie Bechtel have filled in on defense. Bechtel, who has made the transition from forward to outside defender, has kept the defense together, but the success of the defense has come down to Remi Famodu's shoulders in organization.
The injuries were something no one could have prevented, but losing four starters two weeks before the MAC tournament, the Bobcats went from flying high and all in one weekend to the lowest of lows. If Ohio can pull it together for the tournament and the younger players who have been called upon in the teams time of need can step up and punch far above their weight. Ohio may have a chance to surprise and make a deep run, but then again, with an early exit, no one would blame them.
mb832409@ohio.edu
