ONU Ties at Denison

The Ohio Northern University women's soccer team tied Tuesday evening in Granville against a tough Denison women's soccer team.  DU, coming into the match at 2-4, was much better than their schedule showed.  ONU dominated statistically, but failed to come away with the win. 
The Polar Bears got on the score sheet first after soem great defending by Sophmore Sandra Thorarensen, who poked the ball away from a DU attacker to defender Abby Vargo.  Vargo then found teammate Sandy Plunkett, who combined with Thorarensen around a DU defender.  Thorarensen then sent a first time ball into Kristina Klusek who beat her defender at the top of the box and buried her shot in far side netting for the opening goal.  ONU would have several great opportunities to get goals two and three, but tough defending and a great save from the DU goalkeeper kept ONU up 1-0 at the break.
Denison answered in the second half with a goal of their own, making the score 1-1.  ONU created several dangerous chances in regulation as well as both overtimes, but couldn't find the game winner.
"The girls were disappointed to tie again," said Head Coach Mark Batman.  "I understand their frustration, but, we had the game won, and allowed them to get a goal and come back into it.  We played well enough to win the game, and created enough scoring chances to get more goals, but all you need is one, and to not allow any.  That's the learning lesson for our girls today.  It's good they are disappointed with a tie, it will be their motivator moving forward.  We have to remind them we are playing a very difficult non conference schedule, and we are still undefeated, but it's not over yet.  We have a very tough game on Saturday against Thomas More, and we will move our focus to that match.  If we can continue to learn and grow together, I am confident these ties will turn into wins for them."