COLUMBUS - The Bobcats came into Columbus expecting a high-paced, physical battle and that’s what they got. Unfortunately for them, they could not keep up with Ohio State.
After Sunday’s 3-1 loss to the Buckeyes (2-4-1), Ohio (5-2-0) has lost two straight matches after opening the season undefeated. The Bobcats must now figure out how to return to the form that got them five straight wins to start the season.
Used to being in control for most of their matches, the Bobcats faced a role reversal as they struggled to keep up with the speed and physicality of Ohio State.
The Buckeyes also stifled the usually potent Ohio offense. The Bobcats only had four shots on goal — a season-low. They had opportunities to attack the goal, however, but they didn’t capitalize because of the smothering Ohio State defense.
Coach Aaron Rodgers was disappointed they couldn’t come away with the victory, but he sees the match as a great learning opportunity for the Bobcats.
“Ohio State has a good level of physicality and speed of play,” Rodgers said. “That’s where we’re going, and we have to take a little bit out of this if we want to be at the very top.”
The Buckeyes attacked quickly to start the match, and made the Bobcats run the field with them to wear the Bobcats out early. This strategy worked right away for Ohio State, as it scored its first goal in the sixth minute.
The physical play of the Buckeyes netted them another goal in the first half, but it also got them six fouls, and gave Ohio enough opportunities to get on the board.
Following a third Ohio State goal early in the second half, Ohio finally found its way on the scoreboard in the 60th minute behind an Alivia Milesky header that came from an Olivia Sensky assist.
Both teams saw their play get more physical in the second half and would pay for it, as the Bobcats picked up two yellow cards late in the game while the Buckeyes got one of their own. Rodgers did not put much stock into the foul calls in the second half.
“We had to try to match (Ohio State’s) physicality,” Rodgers said. “Sometimes when you try to match that physicality and you’re a little bit late, it’s a foul.”
The Bobcats have another difficult matchup against a top-tier program coming up when they travel to Washington, D.C. on Friday to take on Georgetown (5-2-1). First touch from Shaw Field is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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