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ATHENS, Oh. - Led by a hat trick from junior Scout Murray and a shutout from junior Celeste Sloma, the Ohio soccer team (2-1-1) opened the home slate at Chessa Field on Sunday (Sept. 1), shutting out Valparaiso (2-2-0), 5-0.

Overall, Ohio outshot Valparaiso, 17-3, with eight shots on goal to the Valpo's one. The Valpo keeper recorded three saves, while Ohio took eight corner kicks 

Individually, Murray (Chicago, Ill.), led Ohio with with three goals on four shots. Junior Ella Deevers (Streetsboro, Ohio) added one goal on one attempt, while freshman Lillian Weller (Xenia, Ohio) also had a goal on one shot. Sophomore Jaimason Brooker (Powell, Ohio) added two assists, while junior Maia Soulis (Sylvania, Ohio), freshman Iro Fakinou (Athens, Greece) and freshman Anna Burchett (Prestonburg, Ky.) all recorded one assist each. Burchett also recorded three shot attempts with two on goal

In net, Sloma (Columbus, Ohio) got the start, playing all 90 minutes, while picking up her second shutout of the season and making one save. 

The Bobcats opened the match with possession and took advantage of the pressure, with Murray taking the first shot for Ohio in the 11th minute. Ohio's offensive pressure paid off early, when  Deevers gave Ohio the early 1-0 lead in the 18th minute.

Ohio kept pushing and just a mere three minutes later, Murray, with an assist from Brooker, gave Ohio a 2-0 lead in the 21st minute, putting Ohio up 2-0. Ohio looked to add on, and in 37th minute of the half, sophomore Sydney Crowe (Wilmington, Ohio) recorded a shot on goal to the bottom left of the net, but was saved by Valpo goalie, Kate Sheridan. Sending the game to a break with the Bobcats leading, 2-0.  

At the break, Ohio outshot Valparaiso, 6-1, with the Bobcats recording three shots on goal. 

Ohio started the second half with a save by Sloma, keeping Ohio ahead, 2-0. In the 53rd minute, Murray saw her open opportunity with the Valpo goalie out of the six-yard box, picking up her second goal for the game, with an assist from Fakinou, giving Ohio a 3-0 lead. Murray wasn't finished, and In the 68th minute she once against was assisted by Brooker for her third goal of the match, securing her hat trick and the Bobcats' 4-0 lead.

Then, in the 89th minute, Ohio put the final touches on the match, with Weller adding a goal with assists from Burchett and Soulis, securing Ohio's 5-0 victory. 

The Bobcats return to action Thursday, Sept. 5 to take on Marshall. First touch is set for 4 p.m. at Chessa Field and can be seen on ESPN+. 

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