For the Ohio women's lacrosse team, today's game against Vanderbilt is about more than winning and losing, it's personal.
The Commodores (4-6 overall, 1-2 American Lacrosse Conference) are a team the Bobcats (3-7, 1-3 ALC) know all too well, even though the last time they played was almost a year ago.
Both teams have gone through changes, but one of the biggest is the switching of the sidelines for Ohio assistant coach Jess Roguski.
Playing her last season for the Commodores, Roguski was a major reason why Vanderbilt made it to the final four last year. Now she finds herself wanting to defeat her alma mater at all costs.
I love those girls and I wish them well every game of the season except for this one
she said. I'd love to beat them because they know how competitive I am so I'd love it up until the whistle blows and then I really want to win this one it's definitely personal.
Head coach Kate Brew said she is fortunate to have Roguski on staff to provide a thorough look into their competition.
We feel like we have a great scouting report on Vanderbilt
because Jess graduated from there last year
Brew said. We know who we need to focus on offensively and we know about the team's goalie being one of the best in the country.
Roguski said the teams appear to be alike and the game will come down to a matter of possession.
The teams are in a similar position; they are very young on attack and have a really athletic defense
she said, However they have a phenomenal goalkeeper in Ashley Bastinelli.
We will need to fake and shoot to get the ball in the net and be able to beat them
Roguski said. I think the game will come down to possessions because they are having the same problems holding on to the ball on attack as we are
if we can stay patient on attack it will be a good game.
Defender Meg Ryan said Roguski has played a big role in getting the team ready for the game.
She has given us more motivation because she's been wearing her Vanderbilt stuff around all week
Ryan said, It really has been an underlying thing all week.
Fellow defender Lizzie Wilson said the team realizes how key a victory would be for the team as long as the team comes out ready to play.
This could be a big win and could really turn the season around
Wilson said.
But we need to start out strong and put the pressure on at the beginning so we aren't playing catch up.
Opening draw will be at 4 p.m. today at Peggy Pruitt Field and Ohio will finish up its homestand with a game against Howard Sunday starting at 11 a.m.
