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KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Ohio Soccer won its first ever Mid-American Conference Championship today (Nov. 5), taking down Kent State by a score of 2-1. The Bobcats used two second half goals to overcome a first half deficit to take home the title.
Ohio entered the game having never won a MAC Championship. The Bobcats had made the championship game twice, the last time being in 2002, but were unable to get the win and lift the trophy.
Today, the Bobcats did.
In the opening minutes of the match, Kent State capitalized on a loose ball in the Bobcat defensive area. A shot fired from the right side of the box bounced off the left post and into the back of the net. The goal gave Kent State a lead just two minutes into the game.
Despite the Flashes lead, Ohio proved to be the dominant team moving forward. The Bobcats had six shots on goal and controlled much of the possession. Kent State recorded two shots on target in the first half.
Sophomore goalkeeper Celeste Sloma (Columbus, Ohio) made a crucial save on a breakaway to deny Kent State a two-goal advantage. The two sides went into the half with the score in favor of the Flashes.
Early into the second half, junior Kali Stock (Loveland, Ohio) found the back of the net to tie the game for Ohio. Her shot from the right side floated over the Flashes goalkeeper to score the first goal of her career.
The Bobcats found the go-ahead goal with sophomore Scout Murray (Chicago, Ill.) for the second consecutive game. She found space just outside of the box, shuffled the ball to her right foot, and fired it to the bottom right goal. With her two game-winning goals, Murray was named the Most Valuable Player of the MAC Tournament.
Murray's goal proved to be the difference for Ohio as the final whistle blew with the score 2-1. The win was a revelation for Ohio. Providing the program with their first conference title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The appearance will be Ohio's first in the NCAA postseason play.
Surrounded by her teammates, senior Carsyn Prigge (Lexington, Ky.) lifted the MAC Championship trophy amidst a storm of confetti. The win was not only Ohio's first MAC Championship, but the first time a sixth-seed had won the tournament.
Prigge and Murray were two the of four Bobcats to be named to the All-MAC Tournament team. Sloma and sophomore Eve Berish (Hudson, Ohio) were also selected for their outstanding perfomances.
"It has been an awesome journey," head coach Aaron Rodgers said following the game.
The Bobcats' journey is not finished. Ohio will find out their opponent in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday (Nov. 6). The selection show will be shown on the NCAA's website at 4:00 p.m.
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