Sports
Ohio Soccer loses to Western Michigan on a last-minute penalty kick
By: Evan Johnson
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – Ohio soccer (3-4, 0-1) kicked off conference play against the reigning MAC Champions, Western Michigan (3-2-3, 1-0). The Bobcats put up two quick goals in the first half, but the Broncos stormed right back, tying the game at two. With under two minutes to go, a controversial foul was called, awarding Western Michigan a penalty kick, which they went on to convert, winning 3-2.
The Western Michigan Broncos have dominated in the Mid-American Conference over the past couple of seasons. They have taken home the conference title the past two years and were picked to finish first again in the preseason poll.
The Bobcats have struggled with the Broncos, as they have not beaten them since 2022. Despite the recent struggles, Ohio came out of the gates firing. Just eleven minutes into the game, McKenna Hogan lobbed a shot in front of the net, which Iro Fakinou was able to punch in for the first goal of the match.
Four minutes later, Ohio struck again. This time it was Ella Deevers who delivered a beautiful strike from the right side and drove it over the goalkeeper and off the post to put the Bobcats up 2-0, only 15 minutes into the game.
“That was one of the best goals I’ve seen on this field. Like it was unbelievable,” said Ohio Head Coach Aaron Rodgers.
Neither team was able to add another score before the half.
The Broncos would not be held off for long, as Kaiya Stewart netted a quick goal to start the second half to close the deficit to one.
Ohio continued to battle, but Western Michigan started to dominate possession, and Tessa Fagerson tied the game at two by floating a beautiful shot over Ohio goalkeeper Ayla Rammel’s head.
There was a swift shift in momentum, as the Bobcats now had their backs against the wall. The Broncos continued to fire away, but Ohio kept fighting. As time dwindled, a draw looked apparent.
With two minutes remaining in the match, Western Michigan’s Camryn Huhn took a shot at the net, but it was deflected by Rammel. Two Broncos crashed towards the net looking to capitalize, but Ohio’s Sania Dearing was right by their side. It looked as if the two Western Michigan players collided with each other in front of the goal, but the refs saw something different.
Dearing was called for a foul, and Tessa Fagerson was awarded a penalty kick. The home fans erupted with anger, and after several minutes of arguing between Coach Rodgers and the officials, Fagerson lined up for the kick.
The intense moment ended as Fagerson drilled the kick, hitting the top right of the net. Western Michigan would complete the comeback, winning 3-2.
“We did not foul her; it’s just a terrible way to lose a game that you fought so hard, and you played so well and did a lot of good things. But it happens. Bad calls happen, and you have to live with it,” said Rodgers.
The Bobcats will return to Chessa Field on Sept. 20 to face UMass. The Broncos will head back to Kalamazoo to take on Ball State also on Sept. 20.