Mount Pleasant, Mich. – The Ohio soccer team (3-4-1, 1-0 MAC) returned to the pitch Sunday, September 14^th, in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, to take on the Central Michigan Chippewas (0-7-0, 0-1 MAC) in the first MAC game of the season. The Bobcats leave Michigan in the win column, defeating the Chippewas 1-0 off the lone goal by grad senior Quintin Tostevin (Toronto, Ontario, Canada).

Overall, Ohio outshot the Chippewas 11-8, with the Bobcats having five shots on goal compared to Central Michigan's six. Ohio finished the game with three corners, and Central Michigan had one.

Individually, the Bobcats' offense was led by Tostevin, as she had two shots with one shot on goal. Senior Maia Kaufman (Westerville, Ohio) and sophomore Sania Dearing (Pickerington, Ohio) both registered two shots each, with Kaufman having one shot on goal. Juniors Anna Burchett (Prestonburg, Ky.) and Kate Robinson (Madison Heights, Mich.), and sophomore Iro Fakinou (Athens, Greece) all had one shot, with that shot being on target. Seniors Scout Murray (Chicago, Ill.) and Rayann Pruss (Perrysburg, Ohio) both had one shot.

Senior goalkeeper Celeste Sloma (Columbus, Ohio) got the start in net for Ohio and played for all 90 minutes. Sloma faced eight shots, making six saves in the shutout victory.

The Chippewas looked to score first with a shot in the fifth minute, but were unsuccessful.

In the 13^th minute, Ohio gets on the board first from a shot off the foot of Quinten Tostevin. Tostevin gave the Bobcats an early 1-0 lead with a deep shot from the right side. In the 15^th minute, Ohio had a few more chances to increase the lead, with a shot from Pruss and a corner, but both attempts could not find the back of the net.

The offense continued from both teams with Chippewas looking to tie the game in the 21^st minute, but Sloma denied the Central Michigan shot. Murray added another shot in the 23^rd minute but could not beat the Chippewas keeper.

Kaufman kept the offensive pressure on from the Bobcats, forcing the Chippewas keeper to make a save in the 26^th minute.

The final five minutes of the first half were an offensive battle between both teams, with each team exchanging shots, forcing both keepers to make saves. Neither team could find the back of the net to end the half.

At the end of the first half, the Bobcats lead 1-0. Ohio registered six shots in the first half, with three shots on goal, to Central Michigan's seven shots with five shots on goal.

The second half started slower, with the first shot of the half coming in the 59^th minute. The Chippewas looked to tie the game, but Sloma denied the opportunity. Robinson challenged back in the 60^th minute, but was stopped by the Chippewas keeper. Burchett attempted a shot in the 62^nd minute but would also be denied.

Kaufman, Dearing, and Tostevin looked to extend the lead late in the second half, but ultimately were unsuccessful in their efforts.

The Bobcats beat the Chippewas on the road 1-0 and returned to the win column. Ohio starts MAC play with a win and looks to extend its win streak on Thursday, September 18^th, when the Bobcats return to Athens (Chessa Field) to face MAC opponent Bowling Green at 4 p.m. on ESPN+.

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