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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio soccer team (1-0-0) kicked off the 2023 season with a resounding 3-0 win over Duquesne (0-1-0) Thursday at Chessa Field. 

The Bobcats were threatening for much of the first half behind efforts from senior Isabella Ginocchi (Powell, Ohio) and senior Julia Farina (Wenonah, N.J.) but they could not find the frame. In the 29th minute it was senior Izzi Boyd (Gibsonia, Pa.) who scored the first goal of the season for Ohio. Sophomore Rayann Pruss' (Perrysburg, Ohio) long shot ricocheted off of the crossbar to Boyd who put it in the back of the net to lift the Bobcats ahead of the Dukes. 

Boyd mentioned after the game, "Following up shots is a big thing for us. It is something we emphasize and work on." She also noted that it was great to score against Duquesne. Boyd, from the Pittsburgh area, said "it felt like I was playing my hometown." The follow up goal put the Bobcats ahead 1-0 heading into halftime. 

While the Bobcats started the second half with a goal advantage, the team was far from finished. Just five minutes after the break, junior Scout Murray (Chicago, Ill.) drew a penalty kick. Although Ginocchi's shot deflected off the post, sophomore Ella Deevers (Streetsboro, Ohio) was there to collect the rebound and score the team's second goal of the year. Not only did the goal put the Bobcats up 2-0, but it was Deevers' first collegiate goal. 

In the 60th minute, freshman Jaimason Brooker (Powell, Ohio) intercepted a pass in Duquesne's defensive zone. She cut the ball across to an open Murray who took a touch and powered it past the Dukes' goalkeeper to add a third goal to the Bobcats tally. Brooker's assist was the first of her collegiate career. 

Depth proved to be a strength of the Bobcats team as Rodgers and his staff were able to keep fresh legs on the field for all 90 minutes. Rodgers said, "This is the deepest team I've ever had here," and Boyd added, "We have a lot of depth and there is no drop off." 

The depth was apparent as the Bobcats continued to press the Dukes' defensive line. "We can't take our foot off the gas," said Rodgers, "We need to focus on the details." 

It was a full team effort for the Bobcats in their season opener. Goalkeeper Celeste Sloma (Columbus, Ohio) recorded a clean sheet while adding two saves and with three different goal-scorers, Ohio's depth proved to be too much for Duquesne. 

"Our energy and enthusiasm really carries onto the field," Rodgers commented. 

Ohio outshot Duquesne 20-5, with five of the Bobcats' shots on target compared to just two for the Dukes. There were four yellow cards in the game with Boyd and Eve Berish (Hudson, Ohio) being found responsible for Ohio. 

The shutout victory was a great way to begin the season for the Bobcats as they were able to avenge last season's opening to Duquesne. 

Up Next: 

The Bobcats will stick around in Athens as they wait until Thursday, August 24th to take on Cleveland State. The game will be at Chessa Field at 4:00 pm. 

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