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Kalamazoo, Mich. – Ohio Soccer (3-5-3, 1-1-2 MAC) traveled to Kalamazoo, Michigan, to take on the Western Michigan Broncos (6-2-1, 2-0-1 MAC). After 90 minutes of play, the Bobcats were unable to find the back of the net and fell to the Broncos 1-0.

Overall, Ohio was outshot by Western Michigan 13-5, with the Bobcats only having two shots on goal compared to the Broncos' seven. Ohio ended the match with two corner chances, while Western Michigan had 10.

Individually, senior Ella Deevers (Streetsboro, Ohio) and sophomore Iro Fakinou (Athens, Greece) each had one shot with one shot on goal. Sophomores Sania Dearing (Pickerington, Ohio) and Allison Hooks (Milford, Mich.), and junior Melia Peer (Pittsburgh, Pa.) all registered one shot for the Bobcats.

Senior Celeste Sloma (Columbus, Ohio) started in net for the Bobcats and played all 90 minutes, facing shots from all angles. Sloma finished the afternoon with six saves on seven shots on goal, giving up one goal.

The Broncos applied offensive pressure early, playing a majority of the first 20 minutes with possession of the ball in the Ohio half. Sloma was forced to make two saves in the first 10 minutes of play. Western Michigan had four corner opportunities early on but was unable to break through Sloma.

In the 24^th minute, the Bobcats had their first scoring opportunity with a shot on goal by Deevers, but were unable to find the back of the net.
Ohio was able to apply more pressure on the Bronco defense, but the opportunity was halted with an offside call.

Fakinou had an opportunity to score in the 37^th minute off a set piece, but the Bronco keeper was able to force the ball out of play. Hooks also had an opportunity in the 41^st minute but was off target.

Ohio's last opportunity of the half came in the 43^rd minute, but Peer's shot was off the mark.

After 45 minutes of play, the score remained tied 0-0. The Bobcats finished the half with four shots compared to the Broncos' five, with Ohio having two shots on goal to Western Michigan's four. The Broncos had six corner opportunities in the first half, with the Bobcats having only one corner opportunity.

Western Michigan started the second half with the same offensive pressure that they applied in the first half. In the 50^th minute, the Broncos were able to score first on a corner piece, taking the 1-0 lead.

Ohio was forced to play more defense due to the continuous Bronco offense, but was able to get its first shot of the second half in the 73^rd minute by Dearing. The attempt by Dearing was blocked by the Bronco defense, keeping the score 1-0.

Ohio was able to generate play in their offensive half in the last five minutes of play, but were unable to get a shot off, ending regulation down 1-0.

Ohio Falls to Western Michigan on the road after a hard-fought defensive battle. The Bobcats return to play on Sunday, Sept. 28^th in Ypsilanti, Michigan, to face another MAC contender in Eastern Michigan. The match is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.

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