Natalie Boydston / Staff Photographer / Staff Photographer / nb397205@ohiou.edu

Ohio forward Amy Lower (13) and defender/forward Rachael Goulding (2) fight for the ball with Northern Illinois defender Anne Meshes (31) and midfielder/defender Jenna Clausen (9) during Friday’s 1-0 loss to the Huskies. The Bobcats would bounce back, however, defeating Western Michigan, 2-0, yesterday at Chessa Field.

The Ohio soccer team found mixed results in its return to Chessa Field this weekend, losing to Northern Illinois 1-0 on Friday before blanking Western Michigan 2-0 yesterday.

After her team failed to meet her expectations on Friday, Ohio coach Stacy Strauss said she felt the ’Cats (5-6, 3-1 MAC) played with much more energy against the Broncos.

“There was a huge difference from Friday,” she said. “A lot of it was just our talk and our energy. We played quicker and we were pleased with that. We looked like a different team.”

Quickness was the theme yesterday as the Bobcats’ two goals came within 54 seconds of each other. Forward Halle Plagens was able to find forward Courtney Mink in a two-on-three situation for Ohio’s first goal of the contest at the 38:12 mark in the first half.

Before Western Michigan (2-9-1, 1-3 MAC) could even regroup, Mink got the ball to forward Lindsey Price who was able to lace the ball through the upper right-hand corner of the net at 39:06 for the final tally of the afternoon.

The goal and assist were Mink’s first of her career and she said she was surprised with how quickly they occurred.

“I don’t know how something like that happens,” she said. “I’ve been waiting for it to happen for a while now. (Plagens) gave me a nice ball, and then Price was just wide-open on the side, and I had all the space for the pass. It was just a really good half.”

Goalkeeper Dominique Wright played the entire game for the ’Cats, collecting three saves in a shutout effort.

“Over the last week or two (Wright) has really gained a lot of confidence and composure,” Strauss said. “She did have a very good game.”

Ohio did not have the same luck on Friday against Northern Illinois (2-7-2, 1-3 MAC) as the Huskies were able to take over the tempo of the game.

“We failed to impose our style,” Strauss said. “Northern played very direct, and it caused us to have to chase up and down the field, and it became a track meet.”

That aggressiveness led to the afternoon’s only goal when Huskies’ midfielder Thea Johnson’s missed shot created a rebound opportunity for forward Kelly Mullany who got the ball past the outstretched hands of Ohio keeper Jess MacLean.

Ohio was able to mount a desperate effort towards the end of regulation but, despite four corner kicks from Price in the second half, the ’Cats couldn’t find the back of the net.

“It was really frustrating,” said Price. “The ball went past the goal line a bunch of times. We just weren’t able to finish.”