Charles Dickens once wrote, It was the best of times
it was the worst of times but after this last weekend of Mid-American Conference action, the Ohio field hockey team might justifiably argue he got the order wrong.
After the Bobcats (5-13 overall, 3-5 MAC) dropped Friday's 1-0 decision to Miami (6-12, 1-8 MAC), the only MAC win for Miami this season, Ohio rebounded against first-place Louisville with a 3-2 win Saturday at Peggy Pruitt Field.
We proved to ourselves that we can do that coach Shelly Morris said. I definitely think Louisville is one of the best teams in our conference
if not the best. We proved a lot.
The win against Louisville (9-9, 7-2 MAC) is Ohio's second this season against a MAC leader. The Bobcats handed Ball State a 3-2 loss at Pruitt Field on Oct. 9 to unseat them from its spot at the top of the MAC.
The contest against Louisville would be the last career game at home for seniors Kristen Hann, Becky Lempke, Colleen Marshall, Ashley Pitkin and Kara Webster.
Fittingly, Ohio would score almost eight minutes into what was the Bobcats' Senior Day to open the scoring in front of a large crowd consisting of many parents and field hockey alumnae in town for Homecoming.
Amanda Arnold would contribute from the backfield after Louisville answered near the end of the first half, while Taylor Edwards would seal the Ohio victory only six minutes after another Louisville response in the second half to give the Bobcats the 3-2 upset.
You couldn't ask for a better way to end your home season as a senior
Arnold said. I think it was really big for us. A lot of the games
we play well and try our hardest but we don't always come out with a win. This time
we were rewarded for how we play.
Goalkeeper Jennifer Cote rebounded from a six-save performance in the loss to Miami to post six more in a strong showing against Louisville.
That's how our team plays when we play together
Cote said. This win gives us a positive outlook that we needed. We had a tough loss against Miami that we weren't expecting
but it just shows how mentally tough we are.
If the weekend proved anything, it is that the MAC is still up for grabs with the conference tournament beginning Nov. 5. With any team having the possibility to beat another, Morris knows the upcoming weekend is crucial for Ohio to get a good seed for the MAC Tournament.
Going into next weekend
not even talking about the conference tournament
anything can happen
