Ohio Soccer Snaps Skid with Strong 1-0 Victory Over Kent State

On Apr 8, 2021

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ATHENS, Ohio — The Ohio soccer team (3-6, 3-6 MAC) took a 1-0 victory over Kent State (2-6,2-6 MAC) on Thursday (April 8) afternoon at Chessa Field.

The Bobcats grabbed the lead in he ninth minute when junior forward Abby Townsend (Powell, Ohio) sent a shot from behind the penalty box just under the crossbar and into the back of the net. The goal was Townsend’s second of the season.

“We watched some film this week and we just talked about it, talked through it and looked at all the could things that (Townsend) has been doing and told her not to stay down on herself and just keep plugging away,” head coach Aaron Rodgers said. “She let it rip and what a good goal.”

After Ohio took the lead, it was up to the defense to hold it. Despite consistent pressure from the Golden Flashes, junior goalkeeper Sam Wexell (Iwrin, Pa.) kept a clean sheet for the first time in her four starts this season. Kent State was able to take 13 shots, but only put three on goal as Wexell saved two of them an another was blocked by a defender. Kent State also led with six corner kicks, four of which came in the first half.

The rain started to pour early in the second half and the Bobcats flipped the field, creating much more offensive pressure than they had in the first half. Ohio took seven shots in the second half, as compared to just three in the first. The Bobcats also had two corner kicks.

“We battled, we worked hard,” Rodgers said. “We definitely ground out a win, so I think that’s going to help our confidence.”

The game between Ohio and Kent State was very physical. Each team picked up a yellow card in the second half. Townsend picked up one in the 56^th minute for Ohio, and Karly Hellstrom was given a card in the 77^th minute.

The Bobcats kept possession away from the Golden Flashes for much of the final minutes of the second half to close out the game with a win.

Ohio will return to action for the season finale against Buffalo on Sunday (April 11) at Chessa Field. First touch is set for 1 p.m. and it will be Senior Day fo the Bobcats.

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