Ohio (10-4-4, 5-2-3, Mid-American Conference) traveled to Oxford, Ohio, to challenge Miami in its 2024 regular-season finale. Entering the match, Ohio had already secured a spot in the MAC Tournament. Miami entered the final day of the regular season sitting at seventh in the MAC and needing a win to solidify a spot in postseason play.
At the beginning of the match, Ohio and Miami established physical defensive presences, allowing zero shots collectively in the first 11 minutes of the game. As the first half progressed, the Miami offense applied pressure on Ohio goalkeeper Celeste Sloma with four corner kicks in two minutes; however, Miami only managed one shot with the continued pressure, and the score held even at 0-0.
Four Ohio players managed a shot attempt in the first half with one shot on target, but the Ohio offense could not break through an aggressive Miami defensive front. Ohio was outshot in corner kicks six to zero in the first 45 minutes, but the defense did not allow Miami to capitalize. The first half ended with Ohio and Miami tied 0-0.
At the beginning of the second half, Ohio’s offense struggled to find consistent shot opportunities while the Miami offense maintained pressure on the net. In the first 21 minutes of the second half, Ohio was outshot four to zero and outpaced on corner kicks two to zero.
In the middle of the second half, the Ohio offense managed to create an attempt against the Miami defense, but no shots could break the draw. Then, in the 67th minute, Miami midfielder Makenna Morisson found a pass from forward Taylor Hamlett, who put a shot past the outreached arm of Sloma and gave Miami a 1-0 lead late.
After falling behind, the Ohio offense attempted to find an equalizing goal. Still, the team faced the challenge of looking for opportunities against a team playing to secure a postseason birth. Ohio only managed two shot attempts in the final 22 minutes of play with neither shot finding an equalizing goal.
After the final horn sounded, Ohio had lost to conference rival Miami to finish regular season play. Ohio defender Ella Deevers had three shots, while Celeste Sloma had five saves and one goal allowed in 90 minutes. Sloma also finished the regular season as the MAC leader in save percentage among qualified goalkeepers.
Even considering the defeat, Ohio had clinched a postseason birth in the previous weeks, meaning the Bobcats would advance to the MAC Tournament as the third seed. Miami also punched a ticket to the postseason and secured the tournament’s fifth seed.
Ohio will face sixth-seeded Bowling Green in a first-round matchup Sunday at Chessa Field. Earlier this season, Ohio secured a 3-0 victory over Bowling Green on the road. Ohio will also enter the MAC Tournament as defending champions for the first time in program history.
