Bobcats Bested by Blue Demons, 3-0

by Brett Compton
August 24, 2012

CHICAGO, Ill. - Ohio Soccer completed its longest road trip of the season at DePaul on Friday, losing to the Blue Demons by a final score of 3-0. The Bobcats fired a season high seven shots on goal but were unable to overcome three first-half goals by the hosts.

Cathryn Rogers (Etobicoke, Ontario) led the way offensively for the Green and White, firing three total shots, all of which were on target. Paige Howard was not far behind, with both of her shots finding their way on frame as well. Defensively, junior goalkeeper Mattie Liston made nine saves in the loss, surpassing 200 in her career to become No. 4 all-time in the Ohio record book. The junior has now stopped 204 shots in her career.

DePaul (2-1) brought pressure early in the match, registering six total shots and earning two corner kicks in the first 18 minutes. Liston (Lakewood, Ohio) was equal to the first one which found its way on target, stopping Ashleigh Goddard's attempt in the ninth minute of play.

This early pressure paid a dividend in the 21st minute when Natasa Radosavljevic netted her second goal of the season. Radosavljevic's goal was assisted by Amber Paul. After setting up the first goal, Paul scored the second of the match eight minutes later, beating Liston to make it 2-0. The goal was her first of the season and was assisted by Erin Pekovitch and Kelly Blumberg.

Ohio (0-3) stepped up its offensive pressure in the later stages of the half, firing four shots (two on goal) in the final eight minutes. Gabby Hausfeld (Cincinnati, Ohio) led the way with two while Paige Howard (Mentor, Ohio) and Erin Schwenke (Solon, Ohio) each contributed a shot in the final moments of the half.

Unfortunately for the `Cats, DePaul was able to make it 3-0 just two seconds before the halftime whistle when Kaily Cox headed in a nice free-kick service from teammate Rebekah Roller.

In the 51st minute, Liston made the 200th save of her career on a shot by Radosavljevic. The stop put her in elite company in the Bobcat record books, as only three other Ohio goalkeepers have made 200 or more saves.

Ohio created a few good scoring opportunities in the second frame despite not finding the back of the net. Holly Harris (Batavia, Ohio) had a shot on target in the 62nd minute; Rogers fired one on target in the 71st and 79th minutes; Howard shot another towards goal in the 73rd minute and Maggie Murnane (Libertyville, Ill.) had a hard strike blocked by the defense in the 85th minute of play. DePaul's second-half goalkeeper Alejandria Godinez played quite well in the final 45 minutes of the match, making four total saves.

The Bobcats will next be in action on Sunday, Aug. 26 when Marshall comes to town for Ohio's home opener. The match will begin at 1 p.m. and is Thunderstix Giveaway Day at Chessa Field.

Ohio Starting XI (Numerically): Mattie Liston (GK), Maggie Murnane, Cathryn Rogers, Paige Howard, Veronica Rock, Erin Schwenke, Natalie Bechtel, Holly Harris, Gabby Hausfeld, Liz Finley, Grace Campbell

Goals:
DePaul - Natasa Radosavljevic 2 (Amber Paul 1) 21'
DePaul - Amber Paul 1 (Erin Pekovitch 1, Kelly Blumberg 1) 29'
DePaul - Kaily Cox 1 (Rebekah Roller 1) 45'

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