Nov. 1, 2009

Box Score

ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio soccer's 11th appearance in the Mid-American Conference Tournament did not go as it would have hoped as the Bobcats fell to visiting Toledo 3-1 Sunday to finish up the 2009 season. Junior Sarah Brown netted the `Cats' lone goal of the day, her first of the season and her career.

Play certainly resembled the No. 4 vs. No. 5 billing that was taking place as both squads went back and forth at each other nearly the entire way. Both sides accounted for 11 shots on the day, with Ohio (9-8-2, 6-3-2 MAC) putting up six shots on goal to the Rockets' five. Each squad had their share of opportunities to score as well, but it was Toledo (11-6-3, 6-3-2 MAC) that managed to capitalize more often as the Green and White watched a very successful season come to a close.

"There were certainly moments of brilliance for us today," Ohio coach Stacy Strauss said. "We certainly created a lot of chances. There were near misses, but there were also some lapses and letdowns. It wasn't our best performance, but I thought we played well enough to be in the game. It certainly wasn't indicative of the result."

The `Cats came out roaring and controlled the action through the first few minutes of play, keeping Toledo on its heels. Ohio looked to have put the first goal on the board early in the 11th minute when Toye Famodu (Bloomington, Minn.) headed in a beautiful cross from Cathryn Rogers (Toronto, Ontario), but the official ruled an offsides had occurred on the play and the goal was taken away.

The Rockets responded and took back the majority of the possession for the next few minutes. They managed to sneak one past Ohio early in the 27th minute when Kristen Lynn knocked a quick shot just past the reach of the Bobcat keeper on a cross from Molly Cornwell. The `Cats had some opportunities of their own the last few minutes of the first half, but Toledo's defense managed to recover and keep Ohio out of the net.

Just over five minutes into the second stanza, the Rockets managed to get on the board again. They took advantage of a corner kick with Jaimie Morsillo punching a quick strike into the left corner of the net to make it 2-0. Famodu came with an eyelash of putting a score on the board for the `Cats five minutes later when Ohio's attackers drew the Rocket keeper out of the net. Famodu took a pass that had deflected off a Toledo player and sent a quick shot that hit off the left post. Unfortunately for the Green and White, the Rockets were able to respond and clear the ball.

Ohio continued to keep the pressure on Toledo's defense for the next several minutes and had opportunities deep in the Rockets' territory, but their defense was able withstand each of the `Cats' attempts. The `Cats pressure paid off nearly midway through the 68th minute when Brown (North Royalton, Ohio) took a free kick from Kelsey Pichel (Rochester Hills, Mich.) that bounced off a pair of Toledo defenders and knocked it in to the left corner of the net from six yards out.

Rachael Goulding (Toronto, Ontario) nearly tied the game a few minutes later when she got behind Toledo's defense for a one-on-one with the Rockets' keeper, but her shot was saved by the keeper and the score remained the same. Toledo scored its third goal of the day in the 80th minute when Ali Leak was able to outrun Ohio's defense and shoot one just past the keeper's hands and into the left side of the net. The Green and White continued to put pressure on the Rockets defense the rest of the way, but it was not able to get anything more as Toledo was able to come away with the win.

Pichel led Ohio with three shots on the day, including one on goal and her team-best eighth assist of the year. Famodu and Amy Lower (West Chester, Ohio) each tallied two shots, including one on goal. Jackie Hanson (LeGrange, Ill.) and Goulding also had shots on goal.

Sunday's game marked the final game in the careers of the `Cats' four seniors, Lower, Jasmine Merith (Richmond Hill, Ontario), Jess MacLean (Loveland, Ohio) and Christa Puccio (Scaggsville, Md.).

Next season looks to be a promising year for Strauss as she returns nearly her entire roster. Ohio will now begin training for their spring season.