Oct. 21, 2007
Box Score | Ohio vs. Western Michigan Gallery 
ATHENS, Ohio - Senior day started with celebrations about past accomplishments, but Ohio's MAC contest against Western Michigan ended with reflection on current progress.
Ohio (4-8-3, 4-3-1 MAC) dropped its second straight conference home game and allowed Western Michigan (3-9-3, 1-5-2 MAC) to escape Athens with its first MAC victory this season, 1-0.
On a corner kick mid-way through the first half, Valerie McIntyre fired a long cross over the goal box but Amy Letzgus corralled the ball near the back post and fired a shot that ricocheted off the hands of Ohio keeper Jess MacLean (Loveland) and popped up and into the top of the net.
The goal was just the Broncos ninth this season.
Ohio once again had plenty of chances to score, none better than on one of their seven corner kicks, this particular one in the second half. Elyse Merchant (Carmel, Ind.) skied for the header but her shot bounced off a Bronco defender standing on the goal line for a team save. Forward Jasmine Merith (Richmond Hill, Ontario) also had a few nice rips at the goal but her two long shots either played into the keeper at the top of the net or sailed just over the crossbar.
Western Michigan keeper Julia Francy recorded six saves and MacLean snatched one shot but allowed the lone goal. MacLean continued her streak of allowing one goal or less for the 10th consecutive contest.
The game started with the Bobcats recognizing its seven seniors as they played their last regular season home game of their careers. If the team wishes to play another game at Chessa Field this year, the `Cats will need to finish in fourth place or better in the conference standings to play host to a first round MAC tournament game.
Ohio currently sits in third with Eastern Michigan and Kent State close by and still playing games on Sunday.
The Bobcats head to the road for their next and last three games of the regular season with contests at Akron, Bowling Green and Toledo.
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Joe Waltasti is the women's soccer contact for the Ohio media relations office. He can be reached via email at waltasti@ohio.edu and in the office at 740-593-0054.
