Aug. 22, 2010
Final Stats
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Big second-half goals from Jackie Hanson and Kelsey Pichel coupled with a strong defensive effort powered Ohio to a 2-0 season-opening win Sunday at Pittsburgh. Katie Kemen tallied two assists on the day to help lead the `Cats.
Coming off a big exhibition win just two days prior, there was no let down for Ohio (1-0-0) in its 2010 season opener. The `Cats recorded nine shots on the day, including five on goal, and tallied goals in the 63rd and 76th minutes while riding a strong defensive effort to down a solid Pitt (1-1-0) squad. Freshman Mattie Liston (Lakewood, Ohio) helped anchor the defense with five saves while picking up the first shutout of her career in the nets. Ohio's defensive backs of Paige Howard (Mentor, Ohio), Sarah Brown (North Royalton, Ohio), Lauren Burke (Medina, Ohio) and Kim Nordtveit (Newtown, Pa.) turned in nice outings as well.
"I thought our performance in the second half was indicative of how we're capable of playing," head coach Stacy Strauss said. "The defense was well organized, and we did a good job to force play to certain parts of the field. I credit our players for sticking together and getting the shutout."
The Panthers came out the aggressors early on and challenged the Green and White defense. The `Cats defense was up the task, however, and turned Pitt away. Action remained quiet until late in the first half when Ohio gained control of the action and put the pressure on Pitt. The Panthers defense would not budge and kept the `Cats out of the net.
After a back and forth several minutes to open the second half, Ohio's persistence finally paid off early in the 64th minute. With the `Cats controlling the action deep in Pitt territory, Kemen (Cincinnati, Ohio) picked up a loose ball near the top of the box and fed a streaking Hanson (LaGrange, Ill.) who sent a shot past the Panther keeper and into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
Action remained the same for the next couple minutes until Pitt put some pressure on the `Cat defense midway through the second half. The Green and White defense again held strong and managed to keep the Panthers off the board. Pichel (Rochester Hills, Mich.) added to the Ohio lead nearly midway through the 76th minute. With the action once again deep in Pitt territory, Kemen controlled the ball and sent it back to Pichel. She then fired a laser from about 30 yards out past the keeper and into the strings for a 2-0 `Cat lead. Ohio's defense held strong the rest of the way to ensure the win.
Ohio stays on the road for its next competition as it heads to Columbia, S.C. for a pair of matchups with Bucknell and South Carolina next weekend.
