The 2000 Ohio soccer season began with a mood of uncertainty and trepidation for all, caused by a new coaching staff, the loss of some experienced players and a large freshman class. Unsure of what exactly to expect, the team assembled for preseason and diligently began the training necessary for a successful season.
The players entered preseason with a very good base of fitness, great technical ability and a tremendous attitude ready to face the challenges of the months ahead. The changes brought about by the new coaching staff seemed to strike a cord with the team and a sense of teamwork, cooperation and a style of play quickly developed. Off the field, the team lived, dined and enjoyed some recreational time together. Time off the field proved to be fruitful in establishing friendships both within and between classes. It was clear from the early days of training that the Ohio soccer team would naturally embody the talent, trust, respect, hard work and discipline necessary to succeed. The first test of the year would come in the form of a scrimmage against Ohio Wesleyan on August 22. After several minutes of apprehensive and nervous play, the Bobcats developed a rhythm and succeeded in handily defeating the Division III side. The following weekend would prove to be a much more difficult task for the Bobcats.

On August 24, the team boarded a plane for a long weekend trip to Iowa. In the season opener, the Bobcats bettered the University of Alabama-Birmingham in a close match, 1-0. Freshman Christel Schiering showed a sign of things to come as she knocked in the lone goal of the game. The first win of the year was a very sweet reward for weeks of hard work for both the team and its first-year head coach, Stacy Strauss. The second game of the tournament matched Ohio against host Iowa State. The quick and skillful play of a few Iowa State players proved to be too much for Ohio as it dropped the match 0-3. The lopsided result was a valuable lesson to the youthful Ohio team in resiliency, determination and pride.

The next weekend saw Ohio match up against regional opponents Wright State and Louisville. The Wright State game was a evenly-played match that, unfortunately, was taken by Wright State 2-3. The Bobcats demonstrated some nice offensive ability in the game, however, and were rewarded with a 2-0 win for similar play against Louisville. No other opponent on the schedule would match the ability of Ohio's next opponent, Kentucky. The Wildcats came to Athens ranked #12 in the nation. The home opener proved to be a insurmountable challenge for the Bobcats but, regardless, they certainly did not lack effort or intensity in the contest. The Wildcats got off 37 shots in the match but were held scoreless until the 68th minute of play due to the courageous play of Ohio's defense and goalkeeper. Vanessa Dennis had a school-record 17 saves in the game-several of which were outstanding. The game ended Kentucky 4; Ohio 0. After facing such a talented side, the Bobcats took the lessons learned combined with the same intensity and work rate into the next several games and opened MAC play with great success. Ohio outmatched Marshall (3-2), Buffalo (2-1), Kent State (4-3) and Ball State (4-0) on their way to a 4-0 conference record by September's end. The only blemish in late September came against Dayton on the 17th. This contest featured a beautiful goal from junior Meghan McCoy, a passionate defensive effort from freshman Carolyn Valade and a precise free-kick finish from junior Nicki Pendleton. Despite such individual performances, the Bobcats were unable to contain Dayton's All-America forward and dropped the game 2-3.

The dawn of October brought the all-important conference match-up against rival, Miami University. The game was an offensive thriller that took almost 119 minutes to decide. With less than two minutes remaining in the second overtime, Miami found the net off of a corner kick to end the game. The loss ended Ohio's perfect conference record and left the Bobcats deeply disappointed. The game also saw the loss of senior back Erin McCoy, who tore her ACL in the effort. The next week brought defending MAC champs, Eastern Michigan to Athens. Despite being outshot 17-9 by the Bobcats, Eastern Michigan managed to sneak away with the victory and drop Ohio to 4-2 in conference play. To worsen the loss, Ohio's junior goalkeeper Vanessa Dennis separated her shoulder in the game.

Without the veteran leadership of McCoy and Dennis in the back, the Bobcats outshot Central Michigan 16-13 but dropped the game 1-4. Similarly, Ohio allowed Toledo to find the net four times on only 14 shots in the following game. Reeling and a bit panicked, the Bobcats now stood at 4-4 in MAC play and were desperate for a win.

The winning ways returned on October 15th as Ohio got the better of Bowling Green in a fairly even game. Carolyn Valade was credited with the lone goal of the game-her second of the year from her defensive role. The Bobcats then went on to defeat Western Michigan (4-0), and Northern Illinois (7-2) to finish tied for third in the MAC. Jen Barber was rewarded with MAC Player of the Week for her offensive production in these two wins.

The final regular-season game pitted Ohio against rival Ohio State on October 26th. The Bobcats took their momentum into the contest and came away with a solid 2-1 victory to end the season on a great high.

After a crazy finish in the conference, the Bobcats were surprisingly slated to take on Miami in the quarterfinal of the MAC Tournament. The away game proved to be another close contest. Ohio had several chances but was unable to find the goal that would equalize Miami's first-half tally. Time ran out on Ohio and left the Bobcats heartbroken in Oxford once again. As the season ended prematurely, the players and coaches of Ohio Soccer couldn't help feeling a bit robbed. The talent, dedication, and effort exhibited throughout the season had not been fully rewarded. The Bobcats were a few seconds, a few inches, and just a bit of luck away from so much more. But, it is this proximity to great success that will fuel the team through the offseason and produce the added talent and will to overcome those inches, and seconds next fall. Greatness surely seems imminent for Ohio in 2001.