Sports

Ohio Soccer draws with Bowling Green after dramatic second half

By: Kasey Hill
Posted on: Thursday, September 18, 2025

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Bowling Green Women’s Soccer (6-1-2) came to Chessa Field to take on the Ohio Women’s team (3-4-2). The Falcons had three consecutive losses to the Bobcats, including a knockout from last season’s MAC tournament.

Ohio University celebrated its collaboration with the Columbus Crew and national nonprofit, Turn it Gold, for the match, giving notice and proceeds to fight childhood cancer.

The Falcons started off hot with the first half kick-off, which set the tone of the match. Each team had momentum that fluctuated in speed, but energy from the benches was consistently powerful. BG made the first attempt on a goal and held the majority of possession; at one point, moving the ball between their four-man backline for two minutes straight without an option out.

Perfectly executed by the Bobcats was their five-man back line, with flanks on each sideline that stepped up past half-field and made BGSU’s options out of the back limited. The Bobcats were able to remain patient, locking down pressure and forcing critical passing errors that created opportunities.

The two teams went back-and-forth with counterattacks and long balls, but could not find the back of the net. After the first half’s hydration break, both teams came back energized and physical, creating dangerous set pieces. As the first half ended, the Bobcats appeared exhausted and stood outnumbered when they reached the final third. The Falcons had rotated five players into their back line at this point, diminishing opportunities for the Bobcats. The match was scoreless for the first 45 minutes.

Ohio shifted tactics coming into the second half. Coach Rodgers said the hydration break and halftime provided valuable time to regroup and reposition. The Bobcats seemed they had adapted to the Falcons’ style of play and kept BG pushed back; a lot of the time, inside BG’s 18-yard box.

This pressure resulted in multiple tackles: one from senior Rayann Pruss that allowed for a dangerous attempt at goal. She yelled, “We got it… Stay locked in!”

BGSU regrouped after multiple set pieces provided by OU infractions, but BG’s opportunities were, once again, shut down by Celeste Sloma in the net or another offside call. The Bobcats finally capitalized after the second-half hydration break with 12 minutes left to play.

Iro Fakinou scored off a rebounded shot to the back post. Almost immediately prior, Gabby Lamparty finished an equalizer from a set piece.

Rodgers expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to honor Turn it Gold in the match while also appreciating his team’s effort and formation flexibility.

“I think we did well. I think we were very organized,” he said. While a tie is not ideal for the Bobcats, this keeps the opportunity to slip in as the first seed in the MAC tournament even more compelling.  

Ohio will host Akron on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.