Sports
Soccer: Ohio falls in OT, limps into MAC Tournament
By: Savannah Bales
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It was decided again in overtime for the Bobcats; a situation very familiar to them this season. The Bobcats went into the game with a chance to control their own destiny in the tournament seeding with a win, but fell in overtime to the Zips 1-0.
Shortly after the game ended, Ohio learned that it was the final qualifier for the Mid-American Conference tournament. The 'Cats – losers of two straight – snuck into the conference tournament only after Bowling Green and Miami played to a draw.
In Akron, though, the Bobcats were all defense for the first 20 minutes defending a strong offensive drive from the Zips. Nicole Amari stepped up to save every shot fired at her. The Bobcats were able to get one shot on the goal during the first half, but thanks to the strong defensive efforts, the score remained tied at zero.
The tables turned at the start of the second half with Ohio seeing multiple chances to take the lead. Toye Famodu fired two shots on goal with 20 minutes to go, but failed to beat Akron’s goalkeeper Jeny Wolbert.
Freshman Nicole Amari started the game in goal for Ohio, but was replaced at halftime by previously injured goalkeeper Mattie Liston. Amari made two saves and Liston made one, but the sophomore allowed a shot to slip past her.
The match went into overtime, and in the 95th minute, Akron's Rachel Phillip found the elusive goal and Akron stole a 1-0 win.
The 'Cats finish the regular season with a record of 7-10-2 (4-5-2 MAC). Ohio was only 1-4-2 in its last seven games after starting conference play 3-1-0.
Ohio will face off against the top-seeded Toledo Rockets in Toledo this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The Rockets beat the Bobcats 2-0 in the teams' only match-up of 2011.