Ohio (10-3-4, 5-2-3 Mid-American Conference) returned to form Sunday against Central Michigan (5-8-4, 3-4-3 MAC) after losing two straight to Toledo and Buffalo. This two-game loss streak was unusual for Ohio this season, as it had only lost one game before the streak.
The Bobcats were shut out in their two most recent losses. Before that stretch, the Bobcats had only been shut out three times, two of which ended in ties.
Ohio was also outshot 29-6 combined in those two games against Buffalo and Toledo. Ohio can usually control the game completely, making the pace of play whatever it wants.
“We weren't dangerous enough against Buffalo,” Ohio coach Aaron Rodgers said. “We created more chances today,”
Rodgers knows how important this game was for the team's confidence heading into the playoffs. Ohio is currently fighting Buffalo for the No. 2 seed in the MAC tournament. The first two seeds get a buy, making every game down the stretch meaningful for Ohio.
Ohio’s win against Central Michigan could also be a good learning experience about battling back when you have bad games and can prepare them for the tournament and coming back from a goal deficit while facing elimination.
Against Central Michigan, Ohio went back to how it had played most of the season. The Bobcats outshot the Chippewas by ten shots and dictated how they wanted the game to go.
The ball was rarely on Ohio’s side, and if it was, the back line ruined any chance Central Michigan had to score.
Ohio got back on track just in time for the MAC tournament, where it will start play in just over a week. Ohio needs to win this Thursday and needs Buffalo to lose or draw to be in sole possession of the No. 2 seed.
