ONU Wins at Muskingum

The Ohio Northern University women's soccer team won this past weekend on a rainy day to close out the regular season OAC schedule with a 4-1 win vs. Muskingum College.  Kristina Klusek recorded her second career hatrick during the match.  Tokar, Zielinski, and Schauble all recorded assists during the match.  Thorarensen would close out the scoring off an assist from Klusek. 

The win secured ONU a position in the upcoming OAC Tournament.  The winner of the OAC Tournament receives the automatic bid to the NCAA National Tournament.  ONU will host Wilmington College on Monday, October 29th at 2pm for the first round of the tournament. 

ONU Wins at Wilmington

The Ohio Northern University Polar Bears traveled to OAC rival Wilmington College on Tuesday evening. The game was highly anticipated as both teams were aware that the winner would almost definitely secure a spot in the OAC Tournament the following week.

The game was exciting from start to finish.  Both teams got things going early, creating chances at goal.  ONU would break through from a free kick effort by Sophmore Kristina Klusek.  Junior Sami Atkinson found a pass at the edge of the penalty area, she beat her defender, and was taken down just outside the penalty area, awarding ONU a free kick.  Klusek bent her shot around the wall and just past the Quaker goal keeper to get the scoring started for the Polar Bears.  ONU would have several more close chances at the Wilmington goal, but the score would go into the half at 1-0. 

The Quakers wasted no time in the second half, putting the Polar Bears under some early pressure, creating a few corner kick opportunities.  The home team eventually struck as they served a ball into the box, but unfortunately  the cross was knocked in by an ONU player, tying the score at 1-1.  The Bears then started to get into a rhythm that made them so successful in the first half, and applied continued pressure on the Quaker defense and goal keeper.  The ONU offense started to break down the back line of the Quakers and created some very dangerous opportunities, two of them hitting the post and crossbar. 

In the final two minutes of play, the Polar Bears won a corner.  Junior Lauren Brown played a very dangerous ball into the box, it was cleared by the defense, and Brown then served another great ball into the penalty area, which found the head of Senior Captain Tara Tokar.  Tokar's header would hit the far post, as would Senior defender Lindsay Gilchrist's shot.  Then Sandra Thorarense would have a chance that would rattle the crossbar and eventually the ball would fall to Klusek, who laced in her shot off the bottom of the crossbar at 15 yards from goal, for the game winner.  ONU would do a great job of killing the remaining two minutes off, sending any dangerous balls in their half back behind the defensive line of the Quakers.

"This was a great win against a very feisty and determined team" said Head Coach Mark Batman.  "We can always count on this game being one of our toughest and most physical games of the OAC season.  Wilmington did a great job of putting our defenders under constant pressure, but our kids did extremely well playing out of their pressure and sticking to our style.  Our kids showed poise and composure in heated moments, and didn't allow the chaos to affect what they came to do, which was to get the result.  The girls worked their tails off for the win, and the support from the players on the touchline was fantastic.  Seeing them all congratulate each other after the game was over makes you realize how special this group really is.  We have one more test on Saturday, and then the OAC Tournament, which our girls are very excited about.  That is our focus, to win the OAC Tournament and make the NCAA's for the third time in four seasons."

Four Points in Two Games for Northern

The Polar Bears took four points in two games last week leading up to the final week in regular season conference play. Northern's mid week game took place at Heidelberg where the hosts were also battling for a spot in the conference tournament. From the first whistle ONU would take control of the match and create a handful of early chances at goal. However, the cross bar and the Berg goal keeper would keep point blank shots out of the net and Northern off the scoreboard in the first half. Heidelberg would get one good look at goal in the first half but Erin Waehner came up big to keep the clean sheet. The second half looked much like the first with ONU controlling play and Heidelberg looking to counter. In the 69th minute, Kristina Klusek would break the Berg clean sheet by heading in a well served cross from Junior Lauren Brown. Freshman Alex Hazelet would also get the assist on the goal. Just over five minutes later Klusek would out run her defender to get on the end of a Sami Atkinson pass to put away her eighth goal of the season. The ONU back four did not allow a single shot in the second half from Heidelberg as Waehner earned her seventh shutout of the season.

Just a few days later ONU would host OAC rival John Carroll on Senior Day. While the Polar Bears were eager on Saturday to avenge their upset loss in the OAC Semifinal last season, their sights were also set on the OAC tournament this season as JCU stood in the way. The game was very even from the start as both teams went end to end to try to get on the scoreboard first. However, it was only a matter of time as ONU would step up to control the match. Despite creating many dangerous chances in the final third, the Polar Bears were unable to capitalize in front of the net. Both teams would enter halftime scoreless. That would change in the second half as JCU found the back of the net in the 62nd minute against the run of play. ONU would equalize just five minutes later as Sami Atkinson converted a PK in the 67th minute. Overtimes would be in order to decide the match but neither team was able to find the game winner in extra time. Despite an overwhelming advantage in shots taken in comparison to their opponent, 34-6, ONU would have to settle for the tie. The result left ONU with a 3-3-1 standing in the OAC going into the final week of regular season. Standing in the way of a tournament berth for the Polar Bears are Wilmington and Muskingum. The final two regular season games are both on the road and are set for 7pm Tuesday the 23rd and 1pm Saturday October 27th.

ONU Wins at Home 5-0

The Ohio Northern Women's Soccer team got their first victory from the past four matches in commanding fashion 5-0 on Saturday afternoon in Ada.  Saturday also marked the 3rd Annual Kicks for a Cause event hosted by both the Men's and Women's soccer programs. ONU has been dominating opponents and coming up short in recent games, but this wasn't the case on Saturday. 

The Polar Bears got off to an early lead against OAC opponent Marietta College when Junior Sandy Plunkett notched home a header off fellow Junior Lauren Brown's corner.  Plunkett wasn't done for the day though.  Sophmore forward Sandra Thorarensen took a great through pass from Junior Tri Captain Abbie Schauble, dribbled the GK, and then placed a pass across the box to Plunkett, netting her second goal of the match.  Going into halftime, ONU outshot Marietta 10-0 and took a 2-0 lead. 

The second half was similar to the first, as ONU continued to mount pressure, tallying 19 total shots in the second half compared to only allowing Marietta one.  Senior Tri Captain Erin Waehner got the shutout and didn't have to make a save for the entire 90 minutes of play.  Other player contributing on the offensive side were Seniors Paige Garber playing very dangerous set pieces into the penalty area, Senior Tri Captain Tara Tokar (who scored the third goal), Freshman Alex Weirich who got her second goal of her young career, Junior Sami Atkinson who got her second goal of the season, and freshman Alex Hazelet who earned an assist along with teammates Paige Garber, Sami Atkinson, Sandra Thorarensen and Lauren Brown.

"Overall it was a great performance from the players" said Head Coach Mark Batman.  "This past week has been very difficult for them.  We've played 3 matches in 5 days.  They played extremely well in all three matches, and today was great for them to finally get the win they've deserved for the past two weeks.  This was great preparation for the OAC tournament as we may have to play a very similar schedule if we finish the conference season anywhere from 3rd place to 6th place.  Our goal is to finish the OAC season as strong as possible and just continue to improve and play well.  It was a great defensive day for us and if our offense can continue to play the rest of the season as they did today (five goals from four players), we will be a very hard team to beat come conference tournament, but, we have to get there, and that's our main focus right now.  The team is confident, as is the staff, if we continue to move forward, we'll be playing in three weeks."

ONU Dominates But Comes Up Short

For the fourth straight game, ONU lead in every statistical category, except goals.  In their second match in three days, ONU hosted non conference rivals Wittenberg University.  Eventhough ONU outshot the Tigers 7-4 in the first half and 10-1 in the second half, Wittenberg was able to sneak one goal in past the ONU defense.  Three different goal keepers saw time in goal for ONU.  Senior Captain Erin Waehner started the match and made two big plays, both off corners, to hold Wittenberg out of the goal.  Junior Kimmy Connor entered the match after the first 30 minutes had gone.  She was tested just once, and came up with a big time save to push the ball into the crossbar, but a forward from Wittenberg was there to knock home the eventual game winner.  Freshman Emily Brodict finished up the final 30 minutes in goal, not having to record a single save.

ONU will take the field again for the third time in five days when they host OAC opponent Marietta on Saturday at 3:30pm.  This day also marks the third annual Kicks for a Cause event, sponsored by the ONU men's and women's soccer programs.

Otterbein Squeaks By ONU in Ada

Despite shooting 17 times and challenging the Cardinal goal keeper for 90 minutes, the ONU Polar Bears fell to OAC rival Otterbein University on Tuesday afternoon in Ada. 

For the opening minutes, ONU pressed and created a few good scoring chances.  Otterbein broke the tie when a Cardinal forward was fouled in the ONU penalty area, giving Otterbein a penalty kick, which they converted.  After the goal, ONU continued to press on, creating scoring chances and corners.  Late in the first half, against the run of play, Otterbein got their second goal of the match off a well placed cross to an awaiting Otterbein forward. 

ONU answered quickly after the half as Sophmore Kristina Klusek took a pass from Senior Tri Captain Tara Tokar and laced home a 25 yard shot past the Otterbein goal keeper.  The bears would continue to fire shot after shot, and break down the Otterbein defense, but couldn't find the equalizer.  With just a minute to go, Klusek crossed a ball to fellow Sophmore Sandra Thorarensen, but Thorarensen's shot hit the post and the match ended at 2-1.  ONU outshot Otterbein 17-5, 10-1 in the second half.

ONU Head Coach Mark Batman had this to say about the game, "I felt the girls played extremely well today.  The final score of the game doesn't tell the true story of the match.  We gave up a foolish penalty early, and it's tough to come back against a very good and well organized team such as Otterbein.  The girls did battle back and, in my opinion, dominated most of the match, creating quite a few dangerous opportunities to score and kept them from shooting in the second half.  I really felt we were going to get the second goal, and if we did, we would get the third.  That's the way soccer works sometimes.  We are optimistic that our luck will turn around.  Our focus is now on Wittenberg, and then finishing the week strong when we host Marietta on Saturday." 

ONU Suffers First Setback of the Season

Ohio Northern suffered their first setback of the season earlier this week after a 2-1 loss at Capital. The Crusaders were able to do what no other team this season has been able to accomplish against the Polar Bears who now sit at 1-1 in the conference and 6-1-3 overall. As the first two games have shown, the OAC looks to be very competitive this year and Wednesday's match proved to be another tough match. Eager to continue their conference success, Ohio Northern got an early start to the game by scoring in the 4th minute. Sandra Thorarensen picked up her fifth goal of the season  with a one touch shot to the far side netting to beat the keeper. Fellow classmate Lauren Brown picked up her fourth assist of the season on the goal. Despite continued pressure in the Crusader half, Capital was able to find the equalizer in the 24th minute. With just under 5 minutes remaining in the half, the Crusaders capitalized on a very rare error in the Polar Bear defense. The Polar Bears held the advantage in possession and shots for the remainder of the game but were unable to come back to get the win. Capital's goal keeper made several critical saves as the game was winding down to keep the Polar Bears from finding the tying goal.  Up next, the Polar Bears look to rebound against another tough OAC opponent at Baldwin Wallace this Saturday at 4:30pm.