Neither Ohio’s volleyball nor soccer team emerged victorious on the road this weekend as spring play nears its end.
Soccer
In its first road challenge of the spring season, Ohio dropped a 4-2 decision to Cincinnati. Coach Stacy Strauss characterized the game as an exciting and offensive contest, but in the end, the Bobcats couldn’t match the speed of the Bearcat forwards.
Activity in the offensive third put loads of pressure on Ohio’s defense. The Bobcats’ back line, which had played well in previous games, did not have its best outing of the season.
“Facing the best competition and some real speed from the Cincinnati forwards, our backs learned some vital lessons,” Strauss said.
Following three spring games, Strauss said she thinks the strongest part of the Bobcats’ game is their offense. The team has scored 8 goals in 350 minutes, a statistic probably reflective of Ohio’s work during the offseason.
Liz Finley scored the Bobcats’ first goal. Her tally, assisted by Paige Howard and Erin Schwenke, cut the Bearcats’ lead to 2-1.
Ohio trailed 3-1 heading into halftime, but the team’s play improved after the break.
“The second half saw better understanding and improved movement,” Strauss said. “We defended a bit better.”
The Bobcats made it 3-2 in the second half when Cat Rogers converted on a corner kick from Veronica Rock. Shortly afterward, the squad nearly scored the equalizer, but Rock’s attempt sailed high of the crossbar.
Ohio will travel to Wright State on Saturday to play its final game of the spring season before welcoming alumni to Chessa Field.
Volleyball
Inconsistency continued to plague Ohio on Saturday against Northwestern. Coming off their first win of the spring season, the Bobcats were unable to stick with the Wildcats.
“I thought the morning was terrific. I thought it was the best we have played all spring,” coach Ryan Theis said. “The afternoon was OK. I wasn’t thrilled with our performance in either direction.”
The morning primarily consisted of “competitive wash drills” between the teams. The Bobcats won the majority of the dozen-or-so drills. Each side had six players, but the format differed from that of a match.
In the afternoon, the teams shifted their mindset for a scrimmage. Ohio lost two of three games.
The Bobcats struggled to focus as the day wore on, which is a problem Theis says is indicative of the spring season. But Ohio’s competition level did not falter. The team was not deterred by Northwestern’s reputation.
“We just want to play tough competition,” Theis said. “I want to play good teams so I can see what’s broken. I want to see what we are not doing well so I know going into the preseason where we need to be better.”
mm938910@ohiou.edu
