Oct. 7, 2011

Final Stats

TOLEDO, Ohio â€" The Toledo Rockets put an end to Ohio’s two-game Mid-American Conference winning streak on Friday, beating the Bobcats by a final score of 2-0. Ohio (6-7, 3-2 MAC) was unable to overcome two first-half goals by the hosts, who improved to 7-5-1 (5-0 MAC) and have not lost a match in their last five outings.

“I think we dug ourselves in a hole that we couldn’t climb out of,” said Head Coach Stacy Strauss. “We literally just let them come at us and if you do that against a great opponent like Toledo, you’re going to pay the price.”

Sporting one of the most potent offenses in the conference, Toledo outshot Ohio 17-9 and earned 11 corner kicks to Ohio’s two. Kelsey Pichel (Rochester, Mich.) proved to be the Green and White’s most productive offensive player on the afternoon, firing a total of three shots and playing the entire 90 minutes of the match.

Nicole Gyurgyik was able to get the hosts off to a very bright start, finding the back of the net in just the second minute. The goal was Gyurgyik’s sixth of the season and was assisted by teammate Rachael Kravitz.

Ohio stepped up the pressure over the next few moments, as Pichel fired two shots just wide of goal in the third and seventh minutes. After allowing the initial goal, Mattie Liston (Lakewood, Ohio) made two big saves within the first ten minutes, stopping a header by Ana Reynolds and a shot by Kristen Lynn.

The Rockets were able to strike again in the 35th minute, this time on a shot by Megan Blake. Liston made a save on Rachel MacLeod shot, resulting in a corner for the hosts. On the ensuing cross into the box, Toledo was able to score its second goal of the afternoon when Blake finished a nice pass by Macleod.

A stronger focus on defense was important in a second-half improvement by the Bobcats, during which they allowed Toledo three less shots than in the first 45 minutes.

“I thought we picked up our physical play (in the second half),” Strauss said. “We were a bit more aggressive, doing a better job of battling for 50-50 balls and dealing with set pieces.”

Ohio will next be in action on Sunday, Oct. 9 when it plays at Ball State. Match time is set for 2 p.m.

Goals:
Toledo â€" Nicole Gyurgyik 6 (Rachael Kravitz 5) 2’
Toledo â€" Megan Blake 2 (Rachel MacLeod 7) 35’

Ohio starting XI (numerically): Mattie Liston (GK), Laura Dieter, Kelsey Pichel, Cathryn Rogers, Paige Howard, Lauren Burke, Kim Nordtveit, Erin Schwenke, Katie Kemen, Remi Famodu,  Toye Famodu

Follow @OhioWSoccer