For the first time since joining the American Lacrosse Conference in 2002, the Ohio women's lacrosse team went winless in conference play.
The Bobcats' chances of getting an ALC win were slashed yesterday as they fell to the Penn State Nittany Lions 14-5 at Peggy Pruitt Field. Penn State dispelled the notion of an Ohio victory with a 10-0 run that responded to the 'Cats game-opening goal.
We wanted to slow the game down
because they (Penn State) like to use their speed and score in spurts coach Allison Valentino said. We wanted to start the game by possessing the ball and making them a little antsy. Our first possession is what we needed to do the whole game.
Ohio's first possession started with a quick defensive stop and an offensive clear. The Bobcats (4-11, 0-5 ALC) then ran about three minutes off the clock as they meticulously moved the ball and worked for a shot.
The shot the 'Cats took was one by attacker Kiersten McLouth, and it hit the back of the net and gave Ohio its only lead of the contest.
Ohio's next goal wouldn't come for 33 minutes, when attacker Frannie Sullivan scored, stopping Penn State's run and bringing the score to 10-2.
We came out strong but we needed to come out stronger and play 60 minutes of aggressive and poised lacrosse
Sullivan said. We got a little momentum going when we got some draws ' that is what killed us at the beginning. The draws is the main thing
if you get the draws
you are going to win the game and obviously we didn't.
The Nittany Lions (7-6, 3-1 ALC) beat the Bobcats in draw controls, 16-5, and led to the abundance of shots for the Lions. Penn State had as many goals as Ohio had shots. The discrepancy for shots on goal was 41-14.
McLouth led the team in scoring with three goals, and she remains the Bobcats' leader in points with 30 and in goals with 22 on the season.
We were down by a lot
and we dug ourselves a whole
McLouth said. We knew we had to start scoring or the game would keep going like it was. We knew we had to get the draws
pick it up and get some goals.
The Bobcats will now have a week to rest and get ready for their last match of the season on May 6 against Brown.
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