Oct. 3, 2010
Final Stats
ATHENS, Ohio - Erin Schwenke's score late in the eighth minute proved to be just enough as Ohio soccer blanked Ball State 1-0 for its first Mid-American Conference win of the season Sunday afternoon at Chessa Field.
With conditions wet and slippery due to rain before the game, both sides struggled to gain consistent possession. Ohio's (4-5-2, 1-2-1 MAC) defense was strong throughout, however, picking up its fourth shutout of the season and second shutout in MAC play. It was also the fourth shutout of the year for freshman keeper Mattie Liston (Lakewood, Ohio), who moved into a tie for sixth on the school's single-season shutouts list and tied for fifth on the career list. Liston finished with four saves on the afternoon.
Schwenke's (Solon, Ohio) goal was her second goal of the season, while Toye Famodu and Katie Kemen (Cincinnati, Ohio) picked up assists. Seven different `Cats recorded a shot on the afternoon, with Schwenke, Kelsey Pichel (Rochester Hills, Mich.), Sara Seitz (Englewood, Ohio) and Kemen all tallying a shot on goal. Ohio also got a great defensive effort from its back line of Sarah Brown (North Royalton, Ohio), Lauren Burke (Medina, Ohio), Paige Howard (Mentor, Ohio) and Kim Nordtveit (Newtown, Pa.).
"It feels good to get the win," Ohio coach Stacy Strauss. "It was one I felt like we earned. Overall, the possession won the game for us today, and that's a style we need to play more often. The defense played very well too. They were organized and kept numbers behind the ball."
The `Cats came out strong in the early going with a pair of shots early on. Their pressure paid off late in the eighth minute with a two-on-two breakaway. Famodu got behind a defender and sent a nice touch pass to Schwenke just inside the left corner of the box. Schwenke then fired a shot past the keeper and into the right corner of the net.
"Schwenke did a great job on the play," Strauss said of the goal. "She was very composed when the ball got behind the defense. It was a great combination play all the way around from all of our forwards."
Ohio continued to pressure for a minute, but BSU's defense held up to keep the `Cats off the board. Action was back and forth through the rest of the half as neither side was able to get a consistent possession. The Green and White finished the half with five shots, while holding the Cardinals to just two in the frame.
BSU came out the aggressors after halftime and kept the ball in Ohio territory. The `Cats' defense was up to the task, however, and kept the Cardinals off the board. The tide turned midway through the second frame as Ohio was able to get possessions in BSU territory. The `Cats were unable to get any breaks as the Cardinal defense held strong.
BSU had a couple chances in the 65th minute as it picked up a corner kick, which was turned away by Ohio, and a shot from Brigit Reder, which was collected by Liston. The Cardinals continued to fight the rest of the way, but the Green and White defense was up to the task and kept BSU off the scoreboard for the win.
Ohio is back at Chessa Field next weekend for a pair of contests. The `Cats will host Western Michigan Friday at 4 p.m.
