Despite a five-goal effort by midfielder Lynz Keys, the Ohio lacrosse team lost, 14-12, at Virginia Tech yesterday.
The Bobcats (5-5) rallied from behind numerous times but never could gain the lead against the Hokies (6-4). Ohio is 1-1 all-time against Virginia Tech and 2-5 on the road this season.
It was a really physical game
Keys said. We had to play on a different surface and it was raining. Being Virginia Tech's home field they were a bit more used to it than we were.
Virginia Tech jumped out to an early 2-0 lead before giving up a free position goal from defender Katie Peksa and a goal from midfielder Dana Dobbie to knot the score at 2. The Hokies scored three unanswered tallies before Keys posted her first of the day.
Ohio pulled within one when a shot from midfielder Caitlin Link found the net, but, again, Virginia Tech answered with a three-goal rally, leaving the score 8-4 as the teams entered the locker room for half.
Attacker Melissa Menna, who had seven ground balls on the day, started the second-half scoring. Menna said she has worked hard to be ready for scoring opportunities.
Personally
I look to play defensively first and work hard in practice to be prepared
Menna said. When game time rolls around
I've learned to relax and visualize the game. It helps me focus.
Keys traded goals with Virginia Tech, recording her second and third marks to bring the score 12-10 with seven minutes to play. After another Virginia Tech goal, Keys scored two more times, bringing the Bobcats within one once again with a little more than five minutes to play.
We had really good movement on the attack
and I seemed to have the opportunity every time
Keys said. Dana and I played well off each other
especially in the second half.
The Bobcats could not solve the Virginia Tech team in the final minutes, while the Hokies added one more goal before the end of the game to bring the final score to 14-12.
Towards the end when we had the opportunity we make a few mistakes in the midfield
coach Kate Brew said. They're a very good team
and they're good at capitalizing on our mistakes.
In her tenth start of the season, goalkeeper Jen Cassidy made 10 saves for the Bobcats to bring her season total three short of 100.
Ohio concludes its road trip 7 p.m. Friday at Vanderbilt.
