Ohio Soccer Edges Kent State, 4-3
ATHENS, Ohio (September 24, 2000) -- The Ohio soccer team used three second-half goals to edge Kent State 4-3 in their first home conference game on Sunday afternoon.
The two teams battled to a 1-1 tie in the first half. Kent State got on the board first when Bethany Sanker launched a shot past Ohio goalkeeper Vanessa Dennis (Indianapolis, Ind.) into the right corner. The Bobcats countered in the 38th minute when freshmen Christel Schiering (Cincinnati) received a pass from Nicki Pendleton (Cincinnati) and fired it by Kent State keeper Melissa Glyptis.
The Golden Flashes regained the lead early in the second half when Cassi Johnson found Lauren Caminati in front of the net for a header. Bobcat defender Ashley Jakeway (Hilliard) scored the equalizer just seven minutes later on a long shot from outside the box.
Ohio (5-4 overall, 3-0 MAC) took the lead for good when Rachel Najjar (Columbus) took a pass from Jennifer Wright (Potsdam) and beat Kent State keeper Lindsey Mitchell. Schiering scored the eventual game-winner on a cross from Carrie Kistner (Cinncinati) with just over eleven minutes to play.
The Golden Flashes (4-4-1, 0-3) made the contest interesting in the final three minutes. Nicole Downey scored on a penalty shot after Ohio freshmen Carolyn Valade (Brighton, Mich.) committed a foul in the box. With about twenty seconds left in the game, Downey nearly scored the equalizer, but her shot hit the crossbar.
The Bobcats are on the road next week with games against Ball State (9/29) and Miami (10/1). Ohio's next home game is Friday October 6, at 4 p.m. against defending MAC champion Eastern Michigan.
