Oct. 21, 2011
Box Score | Photo Gallery 
ATHENS, Ohio - On a day honoring its ten seniors, the Ohio Women's Soccer team drew a 1-1 contest against Buffalo Friday afternoon in a game marked by back-and-forth efforts from both squads. Seniors Laura Dieter (Wheaton, Ill.), Kelsey Pichel, Lauren Burke (Medina, Ohio), Kim Nordtveit (Newton, Pa.), Sara Seitz (Englewood, Ohio), Ainsley Bodi (Strongsville, Ohio), Rachel Philpot, Katie Kemen (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Remi and Toye Famodu (Bloomington, Minn.) were honored by head coach Stacy Strauss at halftime in front of parents and fans for their hard work and commitment as Bobcats over the past four years.
With Ohio's draw and Kent State's 2-0 victory over Akron, the Golden Flashes have leapt ahead of the Bobcats atop the Mid-American Conference East Division standings with 15 points to Ohio's 14.
Ohio (7-8-2, 4-3-2 MAC) had its first scoring opportunity in the 15th minute of the match with a rocket from Pichel that soared just high of the cross bar. However, the Bulls would march down the field shortly after with a tipped shot from Taylor Thompson, but Nicole Amari made a diving save to keep the score at 0-0.
The `Cats caught some momentum with shots from Ainsley Bodi (Strongsville, Ohio) and Philpot and multiple strong crosses from Toye Famodu around the midway point of the first half. Ohio outshot Buffalo 10-3 in the first half, however, the `Cats were unable to connect on any of their attempts as the Bulls led the shots on goal category 2-0.
Buffalo (9-4-4, 2-3-4 MAC) came out firing in the second half with two early shots in the first three minutes. Ohio would respond shortly after with its first shots on goal from Pichel and Philpot (Cincinnati, Ohio), but Buffalo goalkeeper Ainsley Wheldon was able to collect both Bobcat attempts. However, Ohio finally got the spark it needed in the 56th minute as Erin Schwenke (Solon, Ohio) slammed home a goal after a laser of a shot from Cathryn Rogers (Etobicoke, Ontario) to give the `Cats a 1-0 lead. The goal marked the second of the season for Schwenke.
Pichel (Rochester, Mich.) nearly added to Ohio's lead in the 69th minute with a low shot to the right post that rolled just wide of the goal. With two minutes remaining in regulation, Buffalo broke through the Bobcat defense as Megan Giesen headed in a cross from Thompson to even the score at 1-1 and send the `Cats to their fifth overtime of the season.
Both teams entered overtime with fast-paced attacks and multiple shots. Amari (Vernon Hills, Ill.) made a critical save with about one minute left in the first overtime period on a cross from Aubrey Stahl that nearly found the foot Katie Kerr to keep things deadlocked at one. Pichel added to her shot total with a strike from the top of the key in the second overtime period, but Wheldon was able to corral the attempt. Aggressive stances from both defenses prevented either team from producing any more goals, leaving the match at a 1-1 draw.
Ohio finished with 21 total shots to Buffalo's 19, while the Bulls led shots on goal 10-5. Amari ended her day with nine saves overall.
The Bobcats will next be in action when they play at Kent State on October 23. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
Goals:
Ohio: Schwenke 2 (Cathryn Rogers 3) 56'
Buffalo: Giesen 2 (Taylor Thompson 3) 88'
Ohio starting XI (numerically): Laura Dieter, Kelsey Pichel, Lauren Burke, Erin Schwenke, Natalie Bechtel, Ainsley Bodi, Rachael Philpot, Katie Kemen, Remi Famodu, Toye Famodu, Nicole Amari (GK)
