Sports
Soccer: Bobcats Dismantle Capital In Lopsided Game
By: Alex Marcheschi
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Ohio defeated the Capital University Crusaders 3-1 in its first game of the spring season; it was Ohio’s first of two scheduled games Saturday.
The spring season is a time for players to prove themselves, no stats are recorded throughout the spring and no tournaments follow the season. Teams get to know their squads and shape up for the next fall season.
“It is really good for the younger players to be able to gain valuable experience and for us to continue to improve for next fall,” said Ohio head coach Stacy Strauss.
Ohio stormed out of the gates as Veronica Rock scored just a minute into the game to give Ohio a 1-0 lead. Ohio peppered the goal in the first half, while Capital struggled to get good looks. Liz Finley made a nice attack on the goal, but came up wide left in one of the Bobcats’ scoring opportunities.
Capital’s Katherine Connell tied the game midway through the first half with a breakaway goal. Connell’s goal came on Capital’s first shot of the half.
Ohio would finish the first half with six shots on goal, while Capital only had three.
Alex Stec scored to open the second half for Ohio, giving the Bobcats a 2-1 lead. Stec was happy with the offensive output in the game. “Scoring goals has been a struggle for us, especially in the fall. We’ve been working a lot in the offseason, on possession especially. It feels good to get a win,” Stec said.
Not to be outdone by Stec, Liz Finley connected with a header to increase Ohio’s lead to 3-1.
Capital appeared to be faster in the game, but Ohio’s defense was ready for the attack as it countered Capital’s speed with aggressive defense. Ohio took great angles to stop the Crusader’s attack.
The Bobcats ended up out-shooting Capital 17 to 3 on the day, and Stec credited the dominant victory to hard work. “The whole team really worked hard, we put some good passes together and got some opportunities, our defense was really strong.”
Ohio’s second game Saturday was cancelled due to rain. The team plays again on Thursday vs. West Virginia Wesleyan.