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ATHENS, Ohio - The Ohio Bobcats (2-4-2) opened up Mid-American Conference play today (Sept. 21), falling short against Kent State (4-2-2) by a score of 1-0. 

The Bobcats and Golden Flashes got off to a back and forth start. Sophomore Maia Kaufman (Westerville, Ohio) provided a spark for Ohio down the right wing. Her crosses were dangerous but skipped past the feet of Bobcat attackers. Kent State responded in a flash. Creating their first chance of the game with a through ball in front of the goal. However, sophomore goalkeeper Celeste Sloma (Columbus, Ohio) kept her great season going denying the Golden Flashes of the first goal in the game. 

Unfortunately for Ohio, Kent State continued to press forward. Just minutes after Sloma's great save, Kent State found the back of the net. A left footed shot from the top of the box was rocketed past the diving Sloma and into the top right corner. The goal put the Golden Flashes ahead just nine minutes into the game. 

Ohio continued to press on. Led by senior Aubrey Rea (Akron, Ohio) and sophomore Eve Berish (Hudson, Ohio) in the midfield, the Bobcats put pressure on the Golden Flashes but were unable to break through. 

After 45 minutes, Ohio found themselves down 1-0. Both teams were able to create chances, but only the Golden Flashes were able to capitalize. 

The second half opened up with a similar pace to that of the first. Both teams streaked down the field, pushing the offense forward on counter attacks. Redshirt senior Haley Miller (Cincinnati, Ohio) provided the Bobcats with opportunities, putting the ball in the box. Yet, the Golden Flashes were able to parry the ball away from danger. 

Kent State responded with chances of their own, but Sloma was able to make two more saves. On the other end, the Bobcats began to accumulate multiple corner kicks. Each cross was put in front of the net, but the Bobcats were still unable to put their head on the ball. 

After the Bobcats drew a free kick just outside of the box, Berish took a strike. Her shot was strong, just missing over the top of the bar. Sophomore Rayann Pruss (Perrysburg, Ohio) gave Ohio another opportunity. Corralling the ball in front of net, firing a shot to the bottom corner, but the Kent State goalie made the save, denying Pruss of the equalizer. 

With just seconds remaining in the game, the Bobcats were given one last chance. A corner kick in the dying seconds led to Rea collecting the ball on top of the box. She took a dribble to her right and shot, but it went just wide. Ultimately, the final whistle blew and the Bobcats fell by a score of 1-0. 

The game was physical on both sides. Each team recorded nine fouls, with the Golden Flashes picking up two yellow cards. Both teams recorded double-digits in shots, 16 for Kent State and 11 for Ohio. Pruss' shot on goal was the Bobcats' lone shot on target, compared to five by the Golden Flashes. Ohio had six corners while Kent State had just two, but were unable to spark a goal from them. 

Up Next: 
Ohio will continue conference play by heading east to Buffalo. The Bulls, who were ranked first in the MAC Preseason Poll, will host the Bobcats on Sunday, Sept. 24 with the game kicking off at 1 p.m. 

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