Ohio Soccer opens 2025 season with 2-0 win over Western Kentucky
By: Grant Kiefer
Posted on:
Thursday, August 14, 2025
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The 2025-2026 Ohio Athletics season officially began with Ohio Soccer’s season opener at Chessa Field on Thursday afternoon, taking on Conference USA foe Western Kentucky. Behind two timely goals and the Bobcats’ defense, Ohio was able to pick up where it left off last season with a stellar 2-0 win over the Hilltoppers.
It was easy to tell there were some nerves and uncertainty the first 20 minutes of the game, as both teams tried to feel each other out and settle into their first real games in over nine months. The Bobcats had the first true chance of the game in the 16th minute, as senior Ella Deevers threw in a beautiful cross right in front of the goal, but senior Maia Soulis’ header was just off.
It didn’t take too long for the Bobcats’ first goal of the season, though. Junior Anna Burchett caught the Western Kentucky defense sleeping and put the ball in from the top of the box to make it 1-0. The 2024 version of Burchett may not have been so quick to fire off a shot like that, but the 2025 version of herself is feeling much more confident, and that’s led to her early success.
“So far, I’ve been feeling a lot more confident than in the past,” Burchett said. “I think that confidence kind of comes with experience. When I’m getting on the ball, I’m just like trying to get shots off. Everyone’s working hard, so that I think that (confidence) build up kind of comes from everyone.”
Ohio’s defense reigned supreme all game long, which made the 1-0 lead feel like a massive hill to climb for Western Kentucky. With only three shots on goal all game and zero corner kicks, star senior goalkeeper Celeste Sloma was largely unchallenged in the season opener. Even while the 2024 MAC defensive player of the year, Norah Roush, nurses a minor injury, Ohio’s defense was able to step up in wake of her absence and not allow any true threats from the Hilltoppers.
The Bobcats put some pressure on offense in the second half, looking for some insurance. They were able to get it as junior Kate Robinson was on the receving end on an incredible assist from sophomore Iro Farinkou. As if a one goal deficit felt like a challenge for WKU, a two goal deficit all but sealed it for the Bobcats.
Up next awaits the Clemson Tigers, who will visit Chessa Field on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Hosting an ACC opponent is a large challenge, but head coach Aaron Rodgers noted that Clemson faces Ohio State to open its season, the latter of which Ohio fared well against in its lone preseason scrimmage.
Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns have confirmed the departure of Thembinkosi Lorch.
Lorch joined the Brazilians from Orlando Pirates in January 2024, but will leave the club permanently.
Read: Cardoso: Matias Suffered A Lot Here
𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨, 𝗡𝗬𝗢𝗦𝗢 👆💛
After 2️⃣ unforgettable years, 1️⃣ league title, 2️⃣6️⃣ appearances, 7️⃣ goals and 4️⃣ assists, the Yellow Nation thanks and celebrates Thembinkosi Lorch. 💛
Wishing you all the best as you start the next chapter of your journey! 👊#Sundowns… pic.twitter.com/GTug91Cwr6
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) August 14, 2025
“After two unforgettable years, One league title, 26 appearances, seven goals and four assists, the Yellow Nation thanks and celebrates Thembinkosi Lorch,” the club tweeted.
“Wishing you all the best as you start the next chapter of your journey!
Lorch is reportedly expected to complete a move to Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca, where he spent the second half of the 2024/25 season on loan.
Nottingham Forest have a agreed a deal with Manchester City to sign James McAtee, sources have told ESPN.
The 22-year-old is set to move to the City Ground for a deal worth up to £30 million ($40.1m). City have also included a sell-on clause and buy-back option in the agreement.
The England under-21 international has been given permission to undergo a medical with Forest and finalise personal terms.
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McAtee scored seven goals in 27 appearances for City last season. He’s been eager to leave the Etihad Stadium in the transfer window in order to find more regular first-team football.
He opted against traveling with Pep Guardiola’s squad for the FIFA Club World Cup this summer in favour of representing England at the Under-21 European Championship.
Premier League.
He’s the second major departure from the Etihad this week after Jack Grealish agreed a season-long loan deal with Everton.
IMG Academy’s recruiting service, NCSA College Recruiting, is the nation’s largest and most successful college athletic recruiting platform. With 78 percent of all college programs and 40,000 college coaches across 35 sports utilizing the platform, NCSA has helped more than 250,000 student-athletes find the right college fit to play at the next level. NCSA offers membership plans, and their services are offered as part of the IMG Academy boarding school experience.
Matias Esquivel has left Mamelodi Sundowns on loan for a second time.
Following the departure of Argentinean attacker Matias Esquivel, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has revealed that the player suffered a lot in South Africa.
Esquivel has joined Greek outfit Kifisia on loan after struggling to break into the team. The left-footed player was signed during Rulani Mokwena’s era at Sundowns and this is the second time he has been loaned out by the Tshwane giants since signing for the club in January 2024.
READ: Sundowns Coach: What Happened To Mothiba
He will now have an opportunity to get more playing minutes, featuring just three times when he returned from a loan spell in South America in January this year. In total, he made 16 appearances for Sundowns since joining them.
“I can speak about Matias, it’s not a problem. Matias is a player that came to Sundowns not with me, but with Rulani Mokwena. So if he did not have chances and he didn’t succeed, it was on that time he went (back) to Argentina. I have nothing with him coming to the club. It’s not to put pressure on me regarding Matias Esquivel,” Cardoso said to media during the MTN8 press conference held at the PSL headquarters in Parktown, Johannesburg, on Thursday.
“But Matias is a very good player and you will succeed where he will go. I also didn’t give him playing minutes. It was not only coach Rulani. Me also. We didn’t give him any chances. But maybe for different reasons because I don’t know what happened before. Matias also didn’t wasn’t constant in telling me that he wants to play. And that is said by training hard, better than the other players. You need to understand that a player to play must show in the training sessions that he is better than the ones that are playing in the same position.”
READ: 10 PSL Players Who Could Still Leave
“I respect the players who don’t play more than the ones who play, because those ones they arrive at home and they want to give love to their families, but they are sad. Matias suffered a lot here. He suffered a lot in this club and there is a moment where the context is already not a context for him to be here. He is a quality player and no one should doubt that. But because of what happened before with coach Rulani that he didn’t play…and now he came (back) in December and we had expectations that he could play but the other ones became better than him and they gave him no chances, like I gave him no chances. There were others I gave chances to show they were better than him. He was suffering. His wife didn’t want to come back. His kids didn’t want to come back.”
Sundowns will take on Soweto giants Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 first leg semi-final at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Saweetie & Jadon Sancho Soccer Star Gets Rapper’s Name Tatted Behind His Ear
Published |
Updated
Saweetie and Manchester United star Jadon Sancho have been a rumored couple for months … and their recent trip to a renowned tattoo shop possibly reveals their bond goes BEYOND skin deep!!!
TMZ Hip Hop obtained images of Saweetie and Jadon hitting up The Apollo Tattoo & Piercing Studio in Santa Monica this summer … where the heavily tatted athlete expanded his art physique — by adding Saweetie’s middle name, Qiava, on his neck behind the left ear.
We’re told Saweetie and Jadon were kissing in the shop and showing plenty of affection … and we know das right!!! 💅🏼
Jadon Sancho & Saweetie linkup at the Chelsea vs Bournemouth game ⚽️🏟️🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/dQMdSGd2VL
— Akpraise (@AkpraiseMedia) January 14, 2025
@AkpraiseMedia
The “My Type” rapper was born Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper, and has been linked to Jadon for months … she’s been present for his matches and it was discovered he had Saweetie’s “PB” mug on his iPhone lock screen.
Saweetie’s currently on the media run promoting her new “Hella Pressure” EP featuring the song “twinzzz” … and now we know who she’s talking about!!!
