Two goals and a clean sheet gave Ohio a fantastic start to their preseason friendlies.
While Ohio’s match Tuesday afternoon against Wright State was just a preseason friendly, it was a promising 2-0 start for the Bobcats inching closer to their season opener on Sept. 21.
Ohio ushered in a few changes at Peden Stadium. Here are a few moments/changes that stood out.
Personnel changes
Coach Aaron Rodgers had no problem adjusting his roster to cement a squad he thinks can lead the Bobcats back into Mid-American Conference relevancy.
After cutting six players, in addition to graduating seniors, there were openings for freshmen (and a transfer) to come in and make an impact.
Tuesday’s match was played in three parts. The first, with perhaps the most probable starting lineup, contained three freshman: Mandy Arzen at right-back, Rianna Reese at center-back and Madelyn Kah in the midfield. Vanessa Cordoba, a sophomore transfer from New York Institute of Technology, started in goal.
In addition, redshirt junior Holly Harris started as a forward, which was a welcoming appearance after an injury kept her out in 2014.
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Changing their shape
The Bobcats typically played a 4-4-2 formation last season, with a diamond midfield. Occasionally the team opted for a lone striker up top.
Against Wright State, it appeared as though Ohio opened the match with a 4-3-3 formation that could seamlessly mold into a 4-1-4-1.
Initially the home side struggled with counter attacks, digging in for a more defensive approach. But as the first period developed, the Bobcats got comfortable and aggressive in the final third.
The standout performer was sophomore winger Hannah Jaggers. When she lined up as a left wing, Jaggers was affective cutting inside and placing shots that flirted with the woodwork.
After dragging a shot just wide of the back post in the 12th minute, she scored in the 18th minute, this time sneaking the ball in at the near post. Eventually Jaggers played as a striker in the middle, but she was more menacing out wide.
Quick scribbles
In general, Ohio looked much more comfortable in the friendly than during the 2014 season. Perhaps some of that comes from the stress-free setting Tuesday. Yet the team still had a lot of promise.
The midfield could be a jumbled mess in 2014. Tuesday, everyone who played the role was crisp and efficient on the ball and bullied the center of the pitch, preventing Wright State’s creativity seen at kickoff.
For only eight shots and five on goal, two goals was a much-improved difference from prolonged scoring droughts last year.
Junior midfielder Natalie Estes’ 20-yard shot just outside the box knuckled and found the far post. It was a perfect hit, despite initially appearing to be a cross. A goal is a goal, and for Ohio, a two-goal outing combined with a clean sheet, was the perfect start.
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Yellow card for concern
The only thing that might be a problem for the Bobcats could quick counter attacks from the opposition.
On goal kicks, the Bobcats compacted into a small area on the right side of the pitch. All 20-outfield players were on the right half of the field.
Wright State didn’t cause any problems, but a wide ball played to Ohio’s gaping left or an under kicked goal kick could find the Bobcats stumbling to retreat.
@charliehatch_
gh181202@ohio.edu
