Opening Weekend

Both games on opening weekend for the Polar Bears ended with the same result, two games and two 1-1 ties. ONU kicked off the 2012 season with Grove City on Friday. The Wolverines proved to be a tough team that would tested ONU from the first whistle. However, ONU would notch one on the scoreboard first in the 40th minute. Junior Lauryn Zielinski began the attack after stripping the ball from a Wolverine and playing the ball into Sandra Thorarensen. Sophomore Kristina Klusek would find herself on the end of a well placed ball from Thorarensen and would beat the keeper on a nicely placed shot in the far side net. Grove City would continue to press the Polar Bears and their efforts would pay off as they found the equalizer in the 63rd minute to force the game into overtime. ONU would pick up momentum in both overtime periods and despite opportunities to grab the 3 points late they would have to settle for 1 point and the tie. 

ONU would quickly rebound to host #17 Case Western in a highly anticipated match up between two nationally ranked regional opponents. The game lived up to the hype as both teams would battle as each tried to break the other down with exciting attack and tough defense. The Polar Bears would find the edge in the 17th minute as Senior Paige Garber would send a beautiful long ball from just inside the mid line to the edge of the far 18 to Kristina Klusek. Klusek took one touch to beat her defender and another to beat the Case keeper for her second goal of the season. ONu would take the lead into the half, but the Spartans would equalize early in the second half. Despite sold play from the Northern attack the scoreline would remain and the Polar Bears would face yet another overtime. Again, Northern would seize the momentum in extra time but solid stops from the Case keeper would keep ONU off of the scoreboard. The game would remain tied throughout both overtime periods and both teams would leave with 1 point. 

Coach Batman had this to say about the opening weekend. “ I think we played well and our young players got some much needed eye opening on what college soccer is like at this level.  The team grinded out two overtime games straight in very hot weather, so we are very proud of them for the way they fought.  I feel like we left some goals out there in both games that could have gotten us wins, but it’s very early still.  We are creating chances, and that’s the most difficult part, so if we continue to improve, grow together, the results will start to happen for this group.”

Up next, the Polar Bears take to the road for the Wooster Invitational as they take on Earlham College on Saturday and The College of Wooster on Sunday.