The Ohio Bobcats soccer team has new faces on both sides of the pitch this year, predominately on the defensive side of the ball.
Those new faces on the defense have been thrown in the action and have responded by improving as a unit every game.
After conceding a late goal to Wright State to begin the season, the defense allowed seven more goals in the next two games.
Despite the difficult start, the defense might have found its stride in the past two games Ohio has played. The defense has shut out the opposition in both games.
Freshman Grace Campbell said the unit has done a good job communicating and playing together as the season has progressed.
“I think we’ve learned to play to each other’s strengths, and we’ve figured out movement and how to slide,” Campbell said. “Communication is getting better each game, so I’d definitely think we’re finding our groove.”
The defense returns two starters from last year — senior Paige Howard and sophomore Gabby Hausfeld.
The Bobcats lost three defenders from last year’s squad because of graduation.
Campbell has started at center back and played every minute this year. Howard and junior keeper Mattie Liston are the only other Bobcats to play every minute of the year this season.
Ohio Coach Stacy Strauss said the defenders have shown a grit and toughness about them. She said Campbell and Hausfeld have become quite a duo together.
“They have started to gel, and it took the coaches a little bit of time to figure where they should be and they’ve done that,” Strauss said. “Their performance was very solid the last couple games, especially.”
In Ohio’s first shutout against Marshall this season, the defense allowed eight shots and Liston made three saves.
This past weekend against Morehead State, Ohio’s defense allowed 10 shots, with six saves by Liston. Those numbers are a stark comparison to the Bobcats previous two defeats.
Against Indiana, the Hoosiers took 20 shots in the game, while Liston made six saves. The following week against DePaul, the Blue Demons had 26 shots, and Liston had nine saves.
Since those two games, Ohio’s defense has not conceded a goal for 225 consecutive minutes.
Liston said the spring games have helped ease the transition for the four defenders.
“It’s all about getting used to who you play next to. And with soccer being a fall sport, it doesn’t leave you a lot of time; when you meet freshmen, three weeks later, you’re playing with them in a game.”
Howard said the two straight shutouts have proved the unit is starting to come around.
“It was definitely a confidence booster. We knew we were coming around; we were definitely starting to feel comfortable and knowing how we all play,” Howard said. “We’ve been putting in a lot of hard work, and it’s finally starting to pay off.”
BRANDON KORS
Staff Writer | mk277809@ohiou.edu
