Season Review: The Ohio Northern Women's Soccer Team finishes among the top in the OAC in 2015

By Ashley Birchmeier

ADA — The 2015 Ohio Northern women's soccer team finished among the top in the Ohio Athletic Conference under 12th-year head coach Mark Batman. The Polar Bears posted a 12-7-2 overall record and finished second in the OAC with a 7-2-0 mark.

This was the 10th consecutive season Ohio Northern has made an appearance in the OAC Tournament, and 11th OAC Championship appearance.

ONU had five players earn All-OAC honors. Senior Alex Weirich was named OAC Midfielder of the Year and First Team All-OAC and senior Emily Brodict received OAC Goalkeeper of the Year honors, as well as First Team All-OAC honors.

In addition, junior Shelby Stephens and sophomore Hannah Reich earned First Team honors, while junior Michaela Gutierrez claimed Second Team honors.

Gutierrez and Stephens also both earned All-Great Lakes Region honors.

The Polar Bears also displayed success in the classroom. Weirich, Reich, Brodict, Stephens and Gutierrez all earned Academic All-OAC honors.

ONU opened the 2015 season with a three game home stint, where the Polar Bears defeated Kenyon 1-0, followed by Albion (Mich.) 1-0 and fell to Hope (Mich.) 3-0.

The Polar Bears then traveled to Pennsylvania, where they moved to 3-1-1 on the season, tying No. 22-ranked Carnegie Mellon (Pa.) 0-0 and defeating Allegheny (Pa.) 1-0.

Northern closed out its non-conference schedule with a 4-0 victory over Transylvania (Ky.).

The Polar Bears opened OAC play with a four-game win streak, defeating John Carroll (3-0), Wilmington (2-1), Mount Union (2-1), and Otterbein (2-1).

Northern dropped its first conference match-up to Capital in a 2-1 double over time decision at Kerscher Stadium.

ONU bounced back by claiming victories over Heidelberg 5-1 and Muskingum 6-0, following a hat trick in a rainstorm from freshman McKenna Welsh.

The Polar Bears would close out the regular season with a dominating 7-0 win over Marietta.

The Polar Bears earned the number two seed in the OAC tournament and a first round bye.

Northern defeated John Carroll 3-0 in the semifinals, before falling to Capital in penalty kicks in the Finals.