A score line can normally tell the whole story of the game, but if you looked at Sunday’s score line you might think Ohio was dominated on the field.
However, the game was in fact one of Ohio’s best of the year.
The Bobcats (6-5-5, 2-3-3 Mid-American Conference) consistently battled for all 110 minutes of the game for the first time this season. And they needed to — they were facing a solid Western Michigan (7-4-4, 5-1-1 MAC) team.
Ohio’s effort and heart didn’t show on the scoreboard, but for those who witnessed the scoreless draw, it was truly poetic play.
Ohio dominated possession time by teasing Western Michigan with combinations of passes that kept the Broncos’ defense guessing the destination. The Bobcats had three chances to tally what would have been the only goal of the game, but they failed to convert.
The first came during the 61st minute when the ball fell to redshirt freshman forward Carly Manso, who took a touch before kicking it with her left foot from the top of the box, but the shot went high and wide.
Another opportunity came with only a minute and a half remaining in regulation when redshirt freshman midfielder Sasha Haverchak pushed a breakaway shot just wide of the post.
The final significant scoring chance for Ohio came with one second remaining in the first overtime when sophomore forward Holly Harris fired a rocket attempt that was stoned by Western Michigan goalie Michelle Watson, a senior.
“We’ve been waiting for us to battle 110 minutes and we finally did today,” Ohio coach Aaron Rodgers said. “We weren’t clinical enough in front of goal, no, but we’ll get there next week. If we battle like this next week and we clean up a couple of things in front of goal we’ll score goals and get the victories.”
Coming off Friday’s game — when the Bobcats were dominated by Eastern Michigan — despite the 3-0 final, Sunday was a strong response for a team that was longing for a result against a good team.
Senior goalie Mattie Liston produced another stellar performance, as she turned away all seven shots she faced Sunday to record her 20th career shutout, a program record.
“The possession was a lot better, and when the possession is better you don’t have to play as much defense,” Liston said. “It’s simple if you’re playing offense you can’t be playing defense, so the more we keep the ball the easier they make it on me.”
Ohio will hit the road again next weekend to face Toledo and Northern Illinois — games that Ohio needs to win to stay in contention for the MAC Tournament.
ak840511@ohiou.edu
@Kovarandrew
