There’s a saying in soccer that a win and a loss are worth more than two draws.
There’s a saying in soccer that a win and a loss are worth more than two draws.
Recently, the Bobcats have become too accustomed to that statement, as they’ve split the first two Mid-American Conference weekends with a Friday win, followed by a Sunday loss.
Although three points in conference every weekend will keep the team in the middle of the MAC, coach Aaron Rodgers has insisted on his side stringing together a six-point weekend, with two wins.
Ohio will have another opportunity to reach that mark when it hosts Ball State on Friday and Miami on Sunday. The latter game will be streamed online by National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Rodgers doesn’t want to overlook the Cardinals before receiving national attention.
“When you look at teams in our conference, they’re the most organized, meaning offensively and defensively,” Rodgers said. “They always take their chances and play a complete 90 minutes.”
He didn’t pinpoint any individual player who might be a threat, but Rodgers said he wants his team to step up and string together a strong performance collectively.
But in order for that to work, the Bobcats need to find the tactical formation that best fits the side; something that’s taken the first half of the season to find that groove.
Rodgers said he’s focused on finding the best midfield combination for the team, and has continued to fiddle with the lineup.
Against Northern Illinois this past Sunday, Rodgers dropped sophomore forward Alexis Milesky into the midfield as a right-center midfielder, allowing freshman forward Hannah Jaggers to play up front in her first career start.
The second-year coach liked the threat Jaggers provided, and said she’ll continue to receive a lot of minutes on the field but won’t start Friday.
As important as the Ball State match will be, Miami’s “derby” match Sunday is stealing the attention.
After co-leading an NSCAA internship that took students to Europe in June for a unique angle to FIFA World Cup coverage, broadcaster Dean Linke will return to Athens and lead a live stream of the Miami game.
Linke, an Ohio alumnus, said he’s looking forward to returning for Homecoming Weekend to lead the broadcast, which will be done entirely by the students who went on the internship.
Rodgers said he’s pushed the athletic department to establish live streams of all home matches, and thinks this opportunity will be a great way to show its importance.
“Anytime we can gain some notoriety or exposure nationally, I think it’s great and shows what direction we’re taking our program,” Rodgers said. “I’m looking forward to it and I know the players are so we can showcase our team.”
gh181212@ohio.edu
@charliehatch_
