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Ohio women’s soccer player Olivia Page dribbling a soccer ball in Ohio’s game against Robert Morris on Friday, September 13th, 2019. PHOTO: Alex Porter

Ohio Soccer: Robert Morris Ends ‘Cats Perfect Start

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Six wins to start the season is something no Bobcat team has done in the history of the soccer program.

Coming off a dominating win on Sunday against Southern Illinois, the Bobcats were looking to repeat that win against Robert Morris at Chessa Field.

A game that featured a double overtime, Ohio’s third overtime game of the season, was a fight to the end between the Bobcats and Colonials.

With 2:58 left in the second overtime period, Kayla Veloso-Lima of Robert Morris scored to deflate any hope of a continuous perfect season for Ohio.

Well into the first half, the Bobcats didn’t look anything like a perfect 5-0 team facing a 1-3-1 Robert Morris squad. A large part to the shutdown of the Bobcat offense was keeper Sydney Bruckner for the Colonials, as she recorded 11 saves on the afternoon. The Bobcats would total 27 shots, 12 of which were on goal.

The Bobcat attack continued to put on the pressure for the Morris defense, but were never able to get in their groove. MAC co-offensive player of the week for Ohio, Heather McGuire, was also limited on the offensive end, only having three shots in 45 minutes of action.

Other Ohio players that put the pressure on offense were Abby Townsend, with five shots, and Sydney Leckie with three. As for shots on goal, the most important one came from Paige Knorr with 26 seconds left in the second half. Knorr dribbled down the field and was able to score, but the goal was called back due to an offside.

Head coach of the Bobcats, Aaron Rodgers, was pleased with the amount of shots the ladies had throughout the whole game.

“We were creating chances, but we just didn’t finish any of them,” Rodgers said.

Overall it was a tough game for Ohio as they experienced their first loss on the season. Even with the loss, they remain on top in the MAC with a 5-1 record along with Ball State.

With a busy conference schedule coming up within the next few weeks, the Bobcats will look to get back on track as they take on Ohio State in Columbus on Sunday. Coach Rodgers feels that his team will be ready to take on a tough Big 10 opponent.

“Ohio State is going to press us up the field. This team didn’t press us at all, and it was hard to get through that. We’re not used to being in a situation where someone sits deep behind the ball,” Rodgers said.

Game time is at six in the evening as Rodgers and the Bobcats look to get their offense and season back on track.