To anyone who saw only the scores of the Ohio field hockey team this weekend, it appeared as if everything went right for the Bobcats.
Ohio posted back-to-back shutouts and came away with two 1-0 victories, one coming in double overtime. However, those who only saw the scores could not possibly understand what the team went through to achieve those two wins.
It was great to get two hard wins. When the ball finally went into the net it was such a relief
midfielder Erica Bundalo said.
While Saturday's game with Missouri State went as just about as well as a double-overtime victory can, Sunday's match-up with St. Louis was anything but smooth. The Bobcats began the game with their trainer hospitalized for what they believed to be food poisoning.
As if that was not already enough, goalkeeper Jennifer Cote and back Lauren Stahlhuth also were feeling similar effects. You know it's a bad day when your trainer's in the hospital coach Neil Macmillan said. It was just one of those weekends when a lot of things went on and we're just really happy to have gotten through it with two good wins.
Cote was able to play through her pain because of help from solid defense but Stahlhuth, who started the game, was unable to manage running around on her upset stomach and left the game after a few minutes.
The already difficult situation was complicated even more when forward Lindsay Rothenberger took a hit to the head. To be on the cautious side, she was also taken to the hospital, however she ended up being released later that evening with no major injury.
Defense stays solid
While the sickness and injuries were not welcomed by the Bobcats, their two shutouts certainly were.
Cote was credited with the two shutouts, but the defense played well as a whole in keeping both of its opponents off the board, which was something Cote definitely needed as she struggled through Sunday's game.
Everyone really stepped up especially the defense
which was huge
Cote said. They knew I wasn't feeling well so they tried as hard as they could to keep the ball away from me and they did a pretty good job of it. So hats off to them. They get all the credit in that game.
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Freshman Nikki Gnozzio, right, avoids a defender in a Sept. 9 home game against the Maine Black Bears. The Bobcats lost the game 3-2.
