Ohio splits pair of road games

by Lonnie McMillan
Staff Writer

The Ohio soccer team saw mixed results this weekend, winning 4-1 against non-conference Pittsburgh on Friday, but then losing 3-0 against Mid-American Conference foe Buffalo on Sunday.

Ohio (11-4-2, 6-3-2 MAC) got off to a good start in the first of four road games to close out the regular season.

The Bobcats scored a goal in the fourth minute when midfielder Gina Siedentopf assisted midfielder Abby Leopold from the left side for the early lead.

Pittsburgh (4-14) bounced back in the same minute on a bloop shot that cleared the head and hands of Ohio goalkeeper Michelle Meglaughlin.

Ohio answered right back with a goal in the seventh minute. Forward Christel Schiering and midfielder Rachael Najjar assisted on a goal by back Carolyn Valade.

Valade scored her second goal of the game in the 49th minute by heading in a goal off a direct free kick from Leopold for a 3-1 lead.

Najjar added an unassisted goal off of a steal and breakaway to close out the scoring.

Meglaughlin made a career-high nine saves in goal for Ohio.

Coach Stacy Strauss said Ohio took advantage of Pittsburgh’s weaknesses.

“We played well,” she said. “They were a less talented team than Buffalo and didn’t really pressure well, but we moved the ball around well and got some nice goals.”

Buffalo proved to be a better challenge, defeating Ohio 3-0 to put an end to the Bobcats’ seven-game unbeaten streak.

Buffalo (6-7-5, 5-5-2) and Ohio played to a scoreless first half, but the Bulls dominated the second half.

The Bulls scored goals in the 61st and 74th minutes. After the second goal, Melissa Parra replaced Meglaughlin in goal. Parra surrendered a goal to the Bulls that iced the game in the 84th minute.

Buffalo outshot Ohio 16-3 in the second half. Strauss said Ohio did not adjust to Buffalo’s style of play.

“They were forcing us to play under their pressure, and we didn’t connect very well and we didn’t attack,” she said.

Parra said Ohio lacked the control it usually enforces.

“It was a whole matter that we didn’t come out and play today,” she said. “We weren’t as aggressive as we usually were and we let a few things bother us.”

Other results from around the MAC this weekend clinched a first-round home game in the MAC Tournament for Ohio. Valade said Ohio still believes it can win the tournament.

“Our goals are the same,” she said. “We’re looking forward to the tournament. That’s our goal — to play well and win the tournament. Nothing’s changed because of the loss.”

Ohio plays its final non-conference game of the season 7 p.m. Wednesday at Wright State in Dayton.