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HUNTINGTON, W. Va. – The Ohio (2-1-1) soccer team lost its first game of the season Thursday evening with a 1-0 loss on the road to Marshall (3-0-1). 

The early minutes of the first half were largely uneventful for both sides. The Bobcats and Thundering Herd each looked to create opportunities down the wings by crossing the ball into the box, but both teams were unable to find the end of them.

Sophomore Scout Murray (Chicago, Ill.) and freshman Jaimason Brooker (Powell, Ohio) set the tempo early for the Bobcats. While both sides struggled to present any major scoring opportunities, Murray and Brooker were dynamic for Ohio up front. The duo's dynamic movement increased the pressure on the Marshall defense. 

A 17th-minute free-kick posed the first true threat for Ohio. Sophomore Ella Deevers (Streetsboro, Ohio) provided a ball into the box that rattled around before finding the feet of sophomore Eve Berish (Hudson, Ohio). Berish's shot looked to be on frame until it was knocked down by a Marshall defender. Junior Quintin Tostevin (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) picked up the rebound in front of the net but missed wide to the right. 

The Bobcats defense proved strong in the first half with the backline of junior Kennedy Rieple (Kirtland, Ohio), Maia Soulis (Sylvania, Ohio), and Tostevin. While Marshall attacked with pace, each of their entries into the boxes were halted and shots were forced off the target. 

Senior Shae Robertson (Lexington, Ohio) made an instant impact on the game, recording the Bobcats' first shot on goal. Her left-footed shot challenged the keeper into a save moving to her right. The Bobcats fired back with a chance created by freshman Ellie Greenwell (Park Hills, Ohio). Her cross fell to the feat of senior Aubrey Rea (Akron, Ohio) who maintained composure amidst a sea of green. She struck the ball through the defense but could not get the ball beyond the goalkeeper. 

In the dying minutes of the first half, redshirt senior Haley Miller (Cincinnati, Ohio) provided a cross deep in the box. Bouncing through the legs of Marshall defenders and Ohio forwards the ball came to Rea, but her outstretched leg could not make solid contact with the ball and was not able to hit the target. 

The half finished scoreless with both sides creating threatening chances. However, both defenses were more impressive. The Bobcats held the Thundering Herd to five shots, none of which were on target. On the other end, Ohio proved to be the more aggressive side with seven shots, four being on frame. 

The start to the second half provided much more excitement than the early minutes of the first half. Marshall put the early foot forward with a free-kick 15-yards outside of the box. The Herd put the ball into the box but it was swiftly collected by sophomore goalkeeper Celeste Sloma (Columbus, Ohio). 

Just a minute later, Marshall drew another free-kick. This time it was even closer to the box. The Herd forward stuck the ball low and to the left finding the bottom of the corner. The 47th-minute goal put Marshall ahead and gave the Bobcats their first deficit of the season. 

Marshall stayed offensive and dominated possession as the Bobcats were unable to string passes together. This continued until freshman Rylee Mensel (Westerville, Ohio) and Murray combined to spark a chance for Ohio. The ball bounced to Berish who blasted a shot, just missing over the bar. 

In the 68th-minute, Berish provided the Bobcats with their best scoring chance of the half. After a free-kick was drawn by Greenwell, Berish's right-footed shot was curling into the top-right corner before being pushed away by the Marshall goalkeeper.

Ohio kept the pressure on as senior Julianna Farina (Wenonah, N.J.) collected the ball streaking down the left side of the field. She cut the ball over to her right foot and fired a shot toward the near post. Marshall's keeper was able to cover to her right, diving for a nice save to preserve the Herd's advantage. 

The Bobcats would not back down as Brooker led senior Izzi Boyd (Gibsonia, Pa.) through on goal. Boyd got the ball on her right foot and ripped a shot, but Marshall's keeper made another heroic save on the near post denying Ohio of the equalizer. 

In the 84th minute, the Bobcats earned a corner kick after a Murray attack. Greenwell whipped the ball in and found the head of senior Carsyn Prigge (Lexington, Ky.) who narrowly missed over the bar. 

With under four minutes to play, Marshall earned a corner. The Herd's cross rattled around the box before a shot was blocked. The rebound presented Marshall with a chance but the shot was saved by Sloma. 

The Bobcats could not find their stride in the offensive half for the remainder of the game. As the tempo picked up, the physicality did as well and the final moments were plagued by fouls and clock stoppages. 

The final whistle was blown with the final score of 1-0 in favor of the Herd. The loss is the Bobcats first of the season as Marshall continues their undefeated streak. 

Ohio accumulated 18 total shots compared to Marshall's ten. Ohio also had more shots on goal with a nine to two advantage. However, the Bobcats were unable to find the back of the net largely due to nine impressive saves by the Marshall goalkeeper. 

Up Next: 

The Bobcats return home on Sunday, September 3rd, against Northern Kentucky. The game will kick off at 1:00 p.m. but be sure to arrive early for the Senior Day festivities. 

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