Sports

[Ethan Sargeant | WOUB]

Ohio Soccer Remains Unbeaten in MAC Play With Win Over Toledo

By: Alex Michalec
Posted on: Monday, October 4, 2021

ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Relentless is the word to describe the Ohio Bobcats’ win against the Toledo Rockets on a gloomy Sunday afternoon.

The Bobcats (7-3-1, 3-0-1 MAC) came out victorious over Toledo (7-3-2, 2-2-0 MAC) as a late goal by fifth-year senior Sarina Dirrig in the 70th minute ended up being the only goal as well as the game winning goal.

Over and over the Bobcats held back multiple attacks from the Rockets, as they were outshot by the Rockets 11 to eight with the Rockets placing six balls on goal and the Bobcats placing two. Although the Bobcats were not very prominent in the shots category, they gathered six corner kicks, opposed to the Rockets’ three.

The physicality of the Bobcats was another huge reason why they pulled away with a 1-0 victory in this highly-competitive MAC contest.

“We knew they were going to press the ball all over the place,” Ohio head coach Aaron Rodgers said. “We knew they were going to be scrappy. We were able to match it. We scored a goal to get the win.”

Coach Rodgers is in his eighth season as head coach with the Bobcats soccer team and his eighth season is off to a very good start, already doubling last year’s win total. Not only are the Bobcats doing well overall, but in MAC play, they have not lost yet.

Ohio goalkeeper Sam Wexell (1) prepares to make a save against Toledo's Caylee Jozefov (9) in a match on Oct. 3, 2021. [Alex Michalec | WOUB] — Ohio goalkeeper Sam Wexell (1) prepares to make a save against Toledo’s Caylee Jozefov (9) in a match on Oct. 3, 2021. [Alex Michalec | WOUB]

Besides the Bobcats physicality and tentative style of play, goalkeeper Sam Wexell has been a brick wall in the net for Ohio.

Over the past couple games, Wexell is playing some of the best soccer in her career so far. She has not let in a goal in over 350 minutes of play for the Bobcats. Also during this time, she has 18 saves and six in each of the past two games — thanks in part to the play from her defense as well.

“They’ve been working hard together. They’ve been putting in extra work. They’ve been putting in time before and after practice and it’s paying off,” Rodgers said.

The Bobcats take on Western Michigan Thursday at Chessa Field. The Broncos are 3-8 on the season, so look for the Bobcats to try and win another crucial MAC matchup at home.