Ohio goalie Courtney Seiders has been named the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week after not allowing a goal over the weekend.
The junior, along with her defensive unit, played an integral part in both contests. When Ball State and Miami had chances to score, Seiders made the key stops.
She stepped up in the late in the Miami match, saving five shots in the second half to secure the 1-0 win and the MAC title, after beating Ball State 3-0.
She's been great as of late
coach Neil Macmillan said. You're going to be successful as a team and win games if you keep the ball out of your end.
The junior lowered her goals against average from 2.29 to 1.91 as a result of the two games.
One of Seiders' top defenders provided help in front of her. Senior Nina Bruno was active on defense and thwarted a number of the RedHawks' attacks.
Nina is the last line of defense who steps up and makes the tackles and she did a great job of doing that Macmillan said. She really showed on senior day that she has the experience back there to easily handle that role.
Home proves friendly
The Bobcats played their final six games at Pruitt Field, and they took advantage of it.
The team went 5-1, with the only loss coming against No. 14 Duke.
Ohio found its rhythm on the Pruitt turf. The team only gave up six goals in the final home stand and netted 15 goals.
The matches included wins that avenged the team's only conference losses (Missouri State and Kent State), and also the conference title clincher against Miami.
I don't know if the home was the true benefit or if it was the fact that we started to play good hockey
Macmillan said. Obviously it helps being here
since it's more comfortable.
No luck for Ballard
Katherine Ballard has started to cool off.
The junior led the Bobcats in scoring for most of the season, but has found goals hard to come by lately.
Her drag flick on penalty corners has not gotten past goalies during games the last few weekends as it did early in the season.
Though Ballard's production has dropped off, forward Marcy Dull has picked up the slack. With five goals in the last three games (including a hat trick against Central Michigan), the senior has scored 10 goals on the year.
Macmillan pointed out that some blocked Ballard shots led to goals off rebounds.
She's giving us opportunities
although it might not be her who ends up scoring
he said.
wf743006@ohiou.edu
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Sports
Will Frasure
