Sept. 22, 2006

Box Score

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Ohio women's soccer team bounced back from a 1-0 deficit, scoring the final two goals of the match to earn a 2-1 win over previously undefeated Central Michigan Friday in the Mid-American Conference season opener. Junior Lindsey Price (West Chester, Ohio) tallied the game-winning goal in the 55th minute of the contest.

Ohio (3-5-0) claimed its first road win of the season after dropping the first four contests away from Chessa Field. In the process, the Bobcats handed Central Michigan (7-1-0) its first loss of the season. The game was the MAC opener for both teams.

"I thought that we played with a lot of heart and a lot of confidence," Head Coach Stacy Strauss said. "We learned a lot from our (non-conference) season and played a lot of good teams. We played with a little more urgency and had the physical edge and Central Michigan's players got a little frustrated at the end. They made a few mistakes and let-downs and we capitalized."

The Chippewas were the first on the board when Alison Heydorn found the back of the net in the 21st minute of the contest. Just 9:02 later, freshman Jasmine Merith (Richmond Hills, Ontario) answered with a tally of her own. Merith capitalized on a Central Michigan turnover and fired a shot from the top of the box past Chippewa keeper Anne Decker for the goal. The goal was Merith's second of the season to tie her for the team lead with freshman defender Rachael Goulding (Toronto, Ontario).

"I thought Jasmine's goal was very good, especially for a freshman," Strauss said. "She played it perfectly over the head of the goalie."

Price hit the game-winner nearly 10 minutes after halftime to give the Bobcats the win in their MAC opener. On a free kick, sophomore Erika Schmitt (Wyoming, Ohio) sent a shot on goal that was bobbled by Decker. Price was there for the put-back and the Ohio victory. Schmitt earned her first assist of the season on the goal.

"I've been real happy with Price," Strauss said. "She's consistently improved each year and is starting to talk more on the field. There was good presence on her part on the goal."

Freshmen Jess MacLean (Loveland, Ohio) and Dominique Wright (Durango, Colo.) each played one half of the match in goal. Wright played the first half and allowed one goal and one save while MacLean pitched a shutout in the second half while recording one save.

"The keepers were good," Strauss said. "They did the little things right as far as coming out for free balls and keeping things simple."

Ohio and Central Michigan each finished with three corner kicks on the contest. The Bobcats finished with seven shots, five on goal, while the defense limited Central Michigan to 11 shots, only three of them on goal. Sophomore Molly Fallon (Strongsville, Ohio) made the start on defense for the Bobcats.

"I was real proud of Molly Fallon's play not only in this game but in the games leading up to this," Strauss said. "She has quickly become one of our best defenders."

The win marks the second time this season the Bobcats have defeated an undefeated team. Ohio also defeated then undefeated Pittsburgh on Sept. 10. Ohio will look to make it two MAC road wins in a row on Sunday when they battle Eastern Michigan at 1:00 p.m.