Women's Soccer tops Mount Union 2-0 in the semifinals of the OAC Tournament
By Tim Glon
| 2018 OAC Women's Soccer Tournament site |
WESTERVILLE — The second-seeded Ohio Northern women's soccer team posted a 2-0 victory over third-seeded Mount Union in the semifinals of the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament on a windy, rainy night at Kerscher Stadium Stadium.
The Polar Bears (14-3-1 overall) advances to its fourth consecutive trip to the tournament finals on Saturday night at Otterbein and will be looking for its second straight OAC Tournament title.
The Purple Raiders end their season with an 11-7 record.
Ohio Northern had the strong Northernly wind at its back in the first half and controlled play for the most part, out-shootung MtU 14-1 in the half.
Sophomore Jenna Fuller (Countryside/Lyons Township) got the Polar Bears on the board in the 24th minute when she dribbled into the box and beat the keeper from 13 yards out.
Northern had a chance to add to the lead in the 32nd minute, but a penalty kick by senior Sarah Puntel (Strongsville) was saved by Mount Union goalkeeper Michelle Kissane.
Going into the wind in the second half, ONU extended its lead just 4:20 into the second half, as sophomore Emma Barney (Oak Harbor) scored off an assist from Puntel to the Polar Bears up 2-0.
"I'm so proud of the way we managed the weather and the game," ONU head coach Mark Batman said. "We did a great job of pressuring forward in the first halkf with the wind and spent more time possessing and building in the second half."
Junior Meagan Grierson (Miamisburg) had two saves to record her school record with her 32nd career shutout, breaking the previous mark of 31 shutouts by Heather Davidson from 1996-99.
The Polar Bears outshot Mount Union 23-5 and won the corner kick battle by an 8-1 margin.
