For a weekend that started out with success, there was little time for the Ohio women's lacrosse team to savor victory.
After the Bobcats (5-9 overall, 1-5 American Lacrosse League) thwarted the Retrievers of Maryland-Baltimore County 11-6 Friday, they suffered a 17-8 loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions.
While everything seemed to click for the Bobcats on Friday, they were plagued with mental errors and fundamental mistakes in the second half of Sunday's game.
We didn't possess the ball well and didn't get enough ground balls (Sunday)
our problems began in the midfield with our transition game and handling the ball coach Kate Brew said. We were giving it away too much and that led to Penn State getting a couple of early goals after halftime turning into momentum.
Attacker Frannie Sullivan tallied four points against UMBC off a career-high three goals to go with her single assist. Sullivan gave her credit to her team that used goals from six players other than herself.
The team just started out strong we wanted to get a couple of quick goals and we did and that set the pace for the game
Sullivan said. We worked really well together and our transition game was awesome. Our defense was great; we played well in all aspects for the game.
Midfielder Dana Dobbie led the Bobcats against the Retrievers with three goals and two assists and tied a game-high five points with UMBC player Kelly Fiorani.
Dobbie and Sullivan paced the Bobcats again against Penn State with four points apiece, but weren't able to keep the game close after halftime as the Nittany Lions outscored the Bobcats 12-3 in the second half.
Defender Meg Ryan said letting Penn State score early multiple times in the second half put Ohio too deep into a hole to climb back.
We were struggling getting the ball up and the field and getting control of the draws. Our lack of communication allowed them score some quick goals
Ryan said. If we would only let them get three goals instead of six really quick we could have stayed closer
but six was a lot to make up that fast.
Defender Katie Peksa said the Bobcats simply broke down.
We played real well in the first half and had scored a couple quick goals and had the momentum going into halftime
Peksa said. We just broke down in the second half we couldn't finish and Penn State could.
The Bobcats will stay in Athens this week as they play their last home game of the season at noon Saturday at Peggy Pruitt Field.
17
Archives
Nick Miller
