The Bobcats begin will begin Mid-American Conference play at Chessa on Friday when Akron comes to town.
After a difficult non-conference schedule and a record revealing as much, the Bobcats hope the rocky start will smooth out and pay dividends in the second half of the season.
Ohio (3-5) will open Mid-American Conference play on Friday and coach Aaron Rodgers believes his team is much more prepared that it was in 2013, when the Bobcats won just one of their first five conference games in Rodgers’ first year in Athens.
“I think we’ve made a lot of progress,” Rodgers said. “I like where the team is and I like where we are in this process. I think we’re going to have a good conference season this year.”
Rodgers said that he broke down the entire schedule into three parts: the first four games of the season, the second set of four and then the 11 MAC matches.
“All the goals we’ve set this year are wrapped around how we do in the conference,” he continued. “And now we have the opportunity to accomplish those goals.”
Ohio opens conference play against Akron in a fixture pairing two similar sides. The Zips (4-3-1) will enter Chessa Field with an unbeaten record since Sept. 2, including wins in three of their last four matches.
Heading into the match, Rodgers said special attention was given to Akron forward Lani Smith, who has recorded a goal and an assist in her first eight matches.
“We have to play our game and come out as a team,” Ohio senior defender and captain Gabby Hausfeld said. “As a defensive line, we have to make sure we’re communicating a lot and being aggressive. We want to make sure she can’t get the ball and can’t shoot.”
The Bobcats will also face Buffalo (4-2-1) Sunday, which is another team similar to the home side. While Rodgers said the Bulls are a good team collectively, he didn’t point out any players who might cause an individual threat.
What he did hint at, though, was more confidence in front of goal — something he’s preached all season. The Bobcats plan to score more than they concede mentality, so Rodgers continued leading attacking-based practices this week.
Ohio went on to play in the quarterfinals of the MAC tournament last year, providing a foundation to build on moving forward.
“I’m excited,” junior defender Grace Campbell said. “This is where we can begin affecting our goals and have a say in what we want to do in the next couple games.”
@charliehatch_
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