Oct. 25, 2009

Box Score

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Erin Schwenke and Remi Famodu each scored goals and Kelsey Pichel assisted in both scores to help lead Ohio soccer to a 2-1 win over Buffalo on the road Sunday afternoon. With the win, Ohio ensured itself a top-four conference finish and will host a first-round MAC Tournament game Sunday.

The victory helped the `Cats continue their impressive string of games from the past few weeks. Ohio (9-6-2, 6-2-2 MAC) has now been beaten just once in its last nine games.

"We struggled some the first half adjusting to the wind and turf," Ohio coach Stacy Strauss said. "We settled in more the second half. That created our chances, which we were able to convert on a couple. Both goals were great individual efforts."

The Green and White's win did not come easily as it faced an early 1-0 deficit from the Bulls (3-14-1, 2-7-1 MAC), who scored early in the 27th minute on a goal from Stephanie Velez. Ohio showed its resiliency and continued to battle. That paid off nearly eight minutes later. The `Cats got a break and got behind the Buffalo defense. Pichel (Rochester Hills, Mich.) fed Schwenke (Solon, Ohio) in the middle, who took a nice touch past a defender and fired a shot from about eight yards out into the back of the net to tie the score. The action went back and forth over the remainder of the half and the tally remained even.

It did not take long for the `Cats to put their second goal on the board. Just 1:11 into the second stanza, Ohio took advantage of a free kick. Pichel launched a well placed kick from about 25 yards out into the box. Famodu (Bloomington, Minn.) timed it just right and knocked a well-placed header beyond the reach of the Buffalo keeper and into the back of the net to give the Green and White the 2-1 lead. It was the first goal of Famodu's career.

The Bulls had a chance to tie the score early in the 70th minute, but Jess MacLean (Loveland, Ohio) made a nice to keep Buffalo out of the net. The `Cats' defense took care of the rest and shut down the Bulls the rest of the way to give the Green and White the win.

Ohio outshot Buffalo 11-10 on the day, with each side putting five shots on goal. Schwenke's goal was her team-leading fourth of the season, while Famodu picked up the first of her career. With her two assists on the day, Pichel now has seven on the season. Kim Nordtveit (Newtown, Pa.) led the `Cats with three shots on the day, including one on goal. Pichel and Schwenke each recorded two shots, with both of Schwenke's going on goal.

Ohio will wrap up the regular season Thursday on the road when it heads to Akron to battle the Zips. First touch is scheduled for 3 p.m.