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A Look Back

05.30.19

Top 5 Ohio sports moments of 2018-19

Matt Parker / Sports Editor

The 2018-19 year contained several notable moments for Ohio teams and the Athens community. From touchdowns and three-pointers to blocked shots and game-winner goals, here are the top five moments from the eyes of The Post sports:

Football: DXL Frisco Bowl win

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Colin Mayr | FOR THE POST

Ohio cornerback Tariq Davids (#17) celebrates with teammates after beating the Buffalo Bulls on November 14, 2018.

Ohio defeated San Diego State to win its fourth bowl game in program history. The Bobcats had little to celebrate before coach Frank Solich arrived in Athens in 2005, but their 27-0 win over the Aztecs in the DXL Frisco Bowl last December highlighted the success Solich has brought to the football program. Senior running back A.J. Ouellette garnered 197 all-purpose yards in his final game with Ohio, and the Bobcats cemented another winning season on a high note.

Women’s Basketball: Amani Burke’s record day against Ball State

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BRE OFFENBERGER | COPY CHIEF

iOhio’s Amani Burke (#3) attempts a 3-pointer during the Bobcats’ game against Ball State on Feb. 2, 2019, where she set the MAC Conference record for most three pointers in a game with 11.

In a season that featured 30 wins and appearances in the WNIT and Mid-American Conference Tournament, it’s hard to pick a single event that stood out in one of the most successful seasons in Ohio basketball history — men’s and women’s.

If there is a single moment that will be remembered, though, it’s Amani Burke’s impressive day against Ball State on February 2. The junior guard broke the MAC women’s basketball record with 11 3-pointers in a single game. Burke lead Ohio with 33 points in scoring as the Bobcats routed the Cardinals in a 94-62 victory.

Women’s Soccer: First conference tournament win in over 10 years

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Baxter Turain | FOR THE POST

The women's soccer team huddles together before their game against the Akron Zips on Oct. 4, 2018.

The Bobcats won’t forget their 2018 season for quite some time. Their 2-1 win over Kent State in the MAC Tournament sent the Bobcats to the semifinals for the first time since 2004. In the 68th minute, junior Sydney Leckie scored off a rebound to give Ohio its go-ahead goal. Overall, the Bobcats went 9-8-3 and improved on its 7-10-3 record from two seasons ago.

Hockey: Late season sweep over Iowa State

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Colin Mayr | FOR THE POST

Ohio defenseman Thomas Pokorney (#4) handles the puck with pressure from Iowa State defenseman Kurt Halbach (#24) during the second period of the Bobcats’ game against the Cyclones on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, at Bird Arena.

With national seeding implications and a final spot in the Central States Collegiate Hockey League standings on the line, the series between then-No. 5 Ohio and then-No. 4 Iowa State couldn’t be overstated.

Ohio swept the visiting Cyclones in a combined 4-1 effort, and the back-to-back wins were crucial in securing a first-round bye in the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament.

Athens Football: First league title in four years

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Colin Mayr | FOR THE POST

The Athens Bulldogs run out onto the field to face the Parkersburg South (West Virginia) Patriots.

Athens entered Week 10 of its season with an impressive 8-1 record and 6-0 in Tri-Valley Conference Ohio play. The Bulldogs already held a share of the TVC-Ohio title, but their 49-14 win over rival Nelsonville-York — the Bulldogs’ first win over the Buckeyes since 2014 — won them the outright title for the first time since 2014.

Running back Evan Adams rushed for 234 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and the Bulldogs clinched the final seed in the Division III Region 11 bracket.

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