Forward moves toward Ohio scoring record

by Lonnie McMillan
Staff Writer

Ohio soccer forward Christel Schiering came into this season — her junior season — with the goal of setting the school record for goals scored.

With the Bobcats halfway through their 20-game season, Schiering already has matched last season’s total of 11 goals to bring her within two goals of the record of 33 set by Mindy Boggs, who played at Ohio from1997-2000. Boggs also holds the record of 15 goals scored in a season set in 1997.

Schiering said it is not only important for her to break the record, but to break it this season.

“I knew what the record was and I knew Mindy put those numbers up in just three years,” she said. “It was important for me to break it this year because it wouldn’t be the same. It’s important for me to accomplish some of the goals I had set for myself.”

Schiering began the season with a streak of eight-straight games with a goal, the longest streak in Mid-American Conference history, but the streak ended Sunday in a 2-0 loss at Ball State.

Schiering was only one part of Ohio’s hot offensive start to the season. The team scored 24 goals in its first six games. Schiering managed goals against the tough defenses of Western Michigan and Miami, but was unable to record even a shot against Ball State.

Schiering said she knew the streak had to end sometime, especially going up against tough defenses.

“It was a pretty lucky streak,” she said. “I have to be happy with what I did and move on from there.”

Despite the streak coming to an end, Ohio midfielder Abby Leopold said Schiering has the tools to put a lot more balls into the back of the net.

“She’s the leading scorer and we have no one else like her,” Leopold said. “Her scoring ability has made her one of the best players in the conference.”

Ohio coach Stacy Strauss said Schiering’s work ethic has shown in the results on the field.

“She works very hard individually,” she said. “(She’s done) a lot of repetitive training on her shooting and it’s increased her percentage shots on goal.”

Schiering is not so quick to take credit for her accomplishments.

“I don’t know if it was necessarily what I was doing well,” she said. “It had a lot to do with my team getting crosses in — pretty much just them getting me the ball.”

The Ball State loss, coupled with Ohio’s 3-2 loss to Miami on Saturday, has put the Bobcats’ hopes of repeating as regular season champs in danger, but Schiering said she has turned her attention to the MAC Tournament.

“(My goal now is) just to win the MAC Tournament,” she said. “We still have a lot of games ahead to build from where we are at. Right now we need to put our focus on winning the MAC Tournament and playing good at the end of the season.”

••Breakout Box Info••

Career goals scored leaders:

Mindy Boggs, 1997-2000                            33

Christel Schiering, 2000-present             31

Rachael Najjar, 1999-present                    21

Jen Barber, 1998-2001                                   17

Nicki Pendleton, 1998-2001                       12