During a lull in the action at Ohio's Sept. 26 home match against Ball State, the PA announcer informed the crowd that Louzeth Schutte's mother had made the 17-hour flight from her home in South Africa.
Schutte's mother stood up from her seat in the stands and waved in acknowledgement, but she never got to see her daughter play while she was in Athens.
Schutte was injured, which, incidentally, made her mom's presence all the more valuable.
That was so much fun
Schutte said. I loved it. ... It was probably the best two weeks of my life when she was here.
Schutte, a Senekal, South Africa native, played last Friday for the first time since she broke her collarbone against Indiana on Sept. 11. The redshirt junior also missed most of last season with a wrist injury.
During Schutte's six-week stay on the injured list, she arranged for the field hockey parents to come to Athens for a weekend. When her mom showed up as well, it was a pleasant surprise.
It made (being injured) a lot easier Schutte said. It was a good time. It was fun just having her here.
Missing so many matches because of injury last season prepared her for the aftermath of her break this year. She played in only one game in 2009.
It made it a lot easier to deal Schutte said. I knew exactly what I was going to go through
so I knew what was going to happen.
Schutte was off to a productive start to the season when she got hurt. She won Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 1.
Coach Neil Macmillan said Schutte's return brings greater depth to the Bobcats.
Lou's control of the back
both in terms of vocal control
organization of the defense and then the actual control of the ball
was fantastic
Macmillan said. She's one of our best players
and to have her missing for about 10 games is tough.
BOBCATS NOT IN DRIVER'S SEAT
The Bobcats are third in the MAC with one match left in the season. Unless Kent State and Miami lose their remaining games, they will miss out on a coveted first-round bye in the MAC Tournament.
We're relying on other teams
said Macmillan, sighing. I just can't see it happening. It's a shame we've put ourselves in that position.
Macmillan's squads have earned byes in all but one of his six years at Ohio, when the Bobcats made it to the MAC championship game in 2008.
Ohio's only chance is if it beats Missouri State this weekend, Kent State loses its last game and Miami loses a game, forcing a three-way tie for first place.
