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LEXINGTON, Va. -- The Ohio Bobcats (1-0) opened up the 2021 season on Thursday (Aug. 19), shutting out the VMI Keydets 1-0 at Patchin Field.
Shae Robertson was the lone goal scorer for the Bobcats. It was the first meeting between the two schools.
Ohio got off on the right foot quickly, scoring their first goal of the season just 15 minutes into the contest.
Abby Townsend's crafty play on the edge of the 18-yard box put the ball in front of the net before it was eventually slotted home by Robertson, with the official assist being credited to
Madison Clayton.
There was plenty of action after the intermission, but no additional goals were scored. The Bobcats had several chances early in the second frame, but were unable to put away a second goal. VMI was presented with an opportunity to equalize shortly after, but the Keydets' shot bounced off the goalpost. Clayton was able to head in a second goal for the Bobcats in the 75th minute of the match, but saw it waved off due to an offsides call.
"Always great to get the season started with a win, especially on the road," head coach
Aaron Rodgers said. "Credit to VMI for having a game plan and sticking to it well. We created many chances that I know we will begin to finish as the season progresses."
Sam Wexell played all 90 minutes in goal, making a total of four saves en route to the shutout. Five other Bobcats (
Ella Bianco,
Olivia Sensky,
Isabella Ginocchi,
Carsyn Prigge, and
Morgan Collica) logged 90 minutes of play.
The Bobcats began regular season play with a shutout victory for the first time since 2018.
"Defensively, we got the shutout by defending very well in the midfield and limiting their chances," Rodgers explained. "The back 4 have a lot of experience and I know we can count on them to be strong."
Overall, Ohio outshot the Keydets 21-8. The Bobcats put seven shots on goal, with
Paige Knorr and
Haley Miller leading the attack with two each. Ohio's attacking presence was felt all game long, as they picked up 11 corner kicks compared to just one for the Keydets.
UP NEXT
Ohio will return to Athens for their home opener next Thursday (Aug. 26). The Bobcats will take on the Marshall Thundering Herd, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. at Chessa Field. The last meeting between these two teams ended in a Bobcats victory, 4-1, in Huntington, W.Va.
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