Trailing by one goal, no time remaining in regulation and a corner opportunity to tie the game.
This was a situation that Ohio faced for the second consecutive game Friday, but it was unable to finish another comeback during a semifinal Mid-American Conference contest, as the Bobcats lost to Miami 2-1.
Ohio finished its season with a 7-10 overall record and fared 3-2 in MAC play, but was ousted from the postseason tournament by the RedHawks for the second consecutive season.
"I'm disappointed for the team today. We did not play our best and it's a shame the season closes like that," coach Neil Macmillansaid. "We were very fortunate to be ahead at halftime and we had taken care of a great scoring opportunity. But we were not able to strengthen our defense in the early part of the second half."
The Bobcats took a lead during the first half when senior Jessica Jue scored after being assisted by classmate Andrea Biegalski.
But early in the second half, Miami did their damage on the offensive side and scored two goals in just 3:56 of game play. Junior Valentina Neira tied the game for the RedHawks in the 40th minute, before sophomore Bea Dechant put them ahead in the 44th minute.
Ohio goalkeeper Brittany Walker did hold the RedHawks from scoring in the first half, as she avoided eight Miami shots. She finished the game with five saves.
"Brittany was outstanding in goal and really kept us in the game, especially in the first half," Macmillan said. "There was very little she could've done in the second half to prevent Miami's scoring opportunities."
MAC offensive player of the year senior Luli Gomez Teruel and freshman Franziska Schmiedel paced the Ohio offense by attempting three shots each.
The Bobcats had many opportunities to tie the game during the final 15 minutes.
Between the 55th minute and the end of the game, Ohio attempted seven shots. Miami goalkeeper Sarah Mueller saved two shots, as another two were blocked on the way to the goal, two attempts were wide and another hit the post.
“The energy in the last two minutes was just too little, too late,” Macmillan said. “It’s unfortunate that we didn’t play with that intensity throughout.”
tj790511@ohiou.edu
