Sports
Bobcats Fall In Season Opener
By: Kaleb Carter, Seth Austin
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Ohio Women’s Soccer kicked off the 2013 season at home falling to the visiting Indiana Hoosiers, 1-0.
The game marked head coach Aaron Rodgers’ competitive debut at the helm for the ‘Cats. Rodgers debuted a new, more aggressive style of play for Ohio, noting that he saw vast improvement in the team’s second-half adjustments.
The Bobcats danced with the Hoosiers to a scoreless tie behind junior goalkeeper Nicole Amari’s two saves. Transfer forward Carly Manso had one shot on goal in the half.
Amari, who earned the start for the Bobcats in net, made it tough on the opponents in the second half, as did her adversary in the Indiana net, Shannon Flower. Rodgers was positive about Amari’s performance despite the allowed goal.
“[Amari] did a fantastic job and it was a great goal they scored,” said Rodgers. “She did the best she could … It’s a continual competition to see who gives us the best chance to win.”
In the 69th minute, Lisa Nouanesengsy volleyed a Lara Ross pass from six yards out past Amari to break the tie. Ohio came close to equalizing when Indiana keeper Shannon Flower stopped an Allison Cislo header on a diving save.
Ohio amassed eight shots in the game with Manso, Alexis Milesky and Liz Finley each having two. Indiana out-shot Ohio 10-8 with six being on target.
“I thought we were kind of playing independently,” said Manso, “but for the most part I think we all worked well together, and it will just take time.”
Outside of Amari, defenders Gabby Hausfeld and Grace Campbell played all 90 minutes. Freshmen Erin Wrubel led all Bobcat substitutes with 48 minutes.
Ohio looks to get its first win Sunday in a 1 p.m. contest against the Wright State Raiders at Chessa Field.