Sept. 10, 2010

Final Stats
Game Highlights

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Rachael Philpot scored the first goal of her career in the second half, but it was not enough as Ohio soccer battled Cleveland State to a hard-fought, 1-1 tie on the road Friday night in Cleveland.

The Bobcats (2-2-1) finished the night leading the way in the shot column, outshooting the Vikings (4-1-2) 17-10 on evening, including an 8-5 advantage in shots on goal. Sara Seitz (Englewood, Ohio) paced the Green and White attack with four shots overall, while Laura Dieter (Wheaton, Ill.) tallied three shots, including two on goal. Philpot (Cincinnati, Ohio) placed both of her attempts on goal, while Mattie Liston (Lakewood, Ohio) recorded four saves in goal.

"It was a good game," Ohio coach Stacy Strauss said. "We had plenty of chances to score, but we just couldn't finish. We had some shots that missed, but for the most part, we connected well on on our shots and put them on the mark. Their (CSU's) keeper made some great saves in overtime too. A chance here and a bounce there and things would have been different."

Neither side would give an inch in the early going as both squads struggled to get consistent looks at the net. The `Cats came close early in the 15th minute, but CSU's keeper managed to step in front of a Dieter header to keep things scoreless. Action picked up over the next several minutes of play as both sides traded possessions and shots in the progress. Ohio nearly scored again early in the 38th minute, but a Philpot attempt was saved by the Vikings' keeper.

The first half came to a close with the game still scoreless. CSU held a slim 5-4 advantage in shots, while the `Cats placed two of their shots on goal to the Vikings' one. Ohio also held a 2-0 edge in corner kicks.

CSU came out and nearly got on the board midway through the 47th minute, but Liston got in front of the attempt to make the save. The Green and White took control of play over the next several minutes, picking up a pair of corner-kick opportunities and a pair of shots, but the Vikings still managed to keep the `Cats off the scoreboard. CSU nearly took the lead in the 72nd minute, but Liston made a nice save to ensure things remained scoreless.

Just 21 seconds later, Philpot landed the first tally of the contest. After making a nice play to get behind a Viking defender and into the top middle of the box, she launched a rocket from 20 yards out beyond the CSU keeper and into the upper left corner of the net. That would not last long, however, as the Vikings managed to take advantage of a corner opportunity to even the score. Frederike Debeau was able to place a header off Jessica Bound's corner try just out of reach and into the back of the net.

Jackie Hanson (LaGrange, Ill.) nearly gave the `Cats back the lead midway through the 79th minute, but the Viking keep was able to just get in front to make the save. Erin Schwenke (Solon, Ohio) also made an attempt a couple minutes later, but she too was denied. The score would remain that way as regulation came to an end with action deadlocked at 1-1. Ohio dominated the shots in the second period, outshooting the Vikings 10-4 in the period to hold a 14-9 advantage going into overtime. Corner kicks were even at five apiece.

Neither side was able to get any type of good look through the first few minutes of extra play. CSU had a pair of corner opportunities, but the `Cats were able to turn the Vikings away. Ohio nearly put the game to an end with 35 ticks left on the clock, but Katie Kemen's (Cincinnati, Ohio) header was corralled by the Viking keeper to send play into the second overtime.

The `Cats had a pair of chances midway through the final overtime, but neither was able to find the mark. CSU had an opportunity of its own late in the 109th minute, but Liston was again able to get in front to make the stop. Neither squad was able to get any more chances the rest of the way as the contest came to a close tied at 1-1.

The Green and White will now return to Athens before continuing its road swing next Friday at IPFW. First touch against the Mastodons is set for 7 p.m.