Sept. 19, 2010
Final Stats
MOREHEAD, Ky. - Four different Bobcats netted goals as Ohio soccer downed Morehead State 4-2 on the road Sunday to wrap up nonconference play. Erin Schwenke, Rachael Goulding, Katie Kemen and Toye Famodu all found the back of the net for the Green and White, which also got two assists from Cathryn Rogers.
After struggling to convert on close chances in a hard-fought loss just two days earlier, Ohio (3-3-1) capitalized on its offensive opportunities throughout Sunday's contest, scoring two goals in each half. Despite being outshot by the home Eagles (3-6-0), the `Cats made the most of their shots by landing seven of their nine total shots on goal.
"We did a very good job of finishing our opportunities," Ohio coach Stacy Strauss said. "We stayed composed in front of the goal and released our shots quickly. Credit Morehead State for coming back like they did. They came out in the second half and changed their style. That threw us off some."
Schwenke (Solon, Ohio), Famodu (Bloomington, Minn.) and Goulding (Toronto, Ontario) all tallied two shots on the day to go with their scores, with Schwenke and Famodu landing both of their attempts on goal. Rogers' (Toronto, Ontario) two helpers were her first of the season and a career high for the sophomore. Sophomore Paige Howard (Mentor, Ohio) and junior Rachael Philpot (Cincinnati, Ohio) each picked up an assist, the first of both of their careers. Freshman keeper Mattie Liston (Lakewood, Ohio) picked up eight saves in goal.
It didn't take long for the `Cats to get on the board. After taking control of the action, Schwenke landed the first score of the afternoon for Ohio nearly midway through the 12th minute when she took a feed from Rogers just inside the right corner of the box and nestled a shot past the MSU keeper and to the far post for her first goal of the season and the fourth of her career.
The Green and White continued to keep the pressure on the Eagles defense and capitalized yet again late in the 20th minute when Howard found a streaking Kemen (Cincinnati, Ohio), who headed the ball into the strings from about eight yards out for Ohio's second score of the day and the first of the season for Kemen. MSU would not go down without a fight and kept the pressure on the `Cats, but some clutch saves from Liston sent Ohio into the half up 2-0.
The Eagles came out determined to start the second half and managed to score almost midway through the 47th minute on the first of two goals from Giuleana Lopez. Both squads exchanged shots over a busy next few minutes. The `Cats then scored what would prove to be the deciding goal of the contest in the 56th minute when Rogers fed a streaking Goulding, who took advantage of a well-timed run to get behind the defense. With the keeper coming out, she deposited a nice touch beyond the keeper's reach and into the back of the strings to give Ohio a 3-1 advantage. For Goulding, it was her first goal of the season and the fourth of her career.
MSU still would not go away as it came scratching back and took control of the action. It would pay off for the Eagles a short time later as Lopez managed to get behind the `Cats' defense and deposit her second score of the contest late in the 60th minute.
Despite the persistency of the home team, the Green and White would not wilt. Ohio continued to battle a persistent MSU squad. Famodu helped ensure the `Cats win late in the 82nd minute with the team's fourth score of the day. Following a nice punt from Liston, Philpot received the ball on a nice touch and sent it over to an open Famodu, who knocked it into the net. It was her first score of the season and the third of her career. Ohio's defense held strong the rest of the way to ensure the win.
The Green and White will now open Mid-American Conference play on the road next weekend as it takes on Eastern Michigan Friday afternoon before battling defending-MAC Champions Central Michigan Sunday.
