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ATHENS, Ohio -- After a successful regular season that saw the Ohio soccer team finished second in the Mid-American Conference, the Bobcats start postseason play this Thursday (Nov. 4) in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament. This year's semifinals and championship rounds are hosted by the top seeded Bowling Green Falcons at Cochrane Soccer Field.
Ohio's semifinal match is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. on Thursday evening, as the Bobcats take on 3rd-seeded Kent State in a rematch of the final match of the regular season. Ohio and Kent State
played to a scoreless draw in that match.The two teams finished with identical regular season records (11-4-3, 7-1-3), but a better goal differential in conference play gave the Bobcats the tiebreaker, the second seed, and a bye into the semifinal round. The semifinal match can be viewed on
ESPN+
Ohio's defense was a highlight of the season for the Bobcats. The main defensive backline of
Paige Knorr,
Olivia Sensky,
Ella Bianco, and
Morgan Collica helped hold conference opponents to just six goals, while goalkeeper
Sam Wexell started all 18 games, recorded nine cleansheets, made 55 total saves, and finished with a 0.75 goals allowed/game average.
Offensively, the Bobcats had 12 different players score at least one goal this season.
Shae Robertson led the team with five, followed closely by
Haley Miller with four, and
Sarina Dirrig with three.
Madison Clayton,
Abby Townsend, and
Olivia Sensky all scored two goals this season. Clayton led the team with assists, finishing the regular season with four, while
Regan Berg, Dirrig, and Townsend each had three on the season.
Ohio had their highest win total in conference play (7) since 2006, and will look to continue their strong play in the postseason after having the program's highest winning percentage (.694) since the 2002 campaign.
If the Bobcats secure a victory on Thursday night, Ohio would advance to the MAC Tournament championship, scheduled to be played on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. and broadcast on
ESPN+. Ohio would face the winner of the other semifinal game, played at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4, between Bowling Green vs. Buffalo.
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