After Ohio’s past two games, it could be argued that the team should be renamed the “Cardiac ‘cats.”
The Bobcats were pushed into a shootout for a second straight game, but unlike Sunday’s matchup against Indiana, Ohio field hockey lost to Ohio State 0-0 (3-2). Though the game remained scoreless for 100 minutes, there was no shortage of excitement.
Both teams fired seven shots in the first half but the Buckeyes held an eight to five penalty corner in regulation.
Ohio’s offense hit a lull in the second half, recording only two shots to the Buckeye’s five. But sophomore goalkeeper Brittany Walker carried the team into the second overtime period, making eight saves in the game.
“She (Walker) is really developing fast,” coach Neil Macmillan said. “It’s great because she’s a year ahead of schedule for what we initially planned with her, but she’s just stepped in there and got a ton of confidence last weekend against
Louisville and Indiana. And to go through a game like this and not give up a goal (in regulation) against Ohio State is fantastic.”
Walker felt the team played very well, but was disappointed that the game had to come down to a shootout. She was stout between the pipes but a slip on the final penalty flick off the stick of Buckeye sophomore Kaitlyn Wagner ended the game.
“I overcommitted so I think you just learn,” Walker said. “Each player is different, so it’s all going to depend on the situation. But I think we all handled it (the shootout) pretty well.”
Even though the team has played 200 minutes over the past two games, Macmillan isn’t concerned about fatigue setting in.
“Our fitness level was fantastic,” he said. “We ran them off the field today … there’s absolutely no problem with the fitness at the end. Everyone was just going and it was great to see.”
Macmillan was pleased with how well the team moved the ball around the field. The defense played strong, getting a good effort from freshman Adele Sammons. But ultimately, the Bobcats’ issues remained with putting the ball in the back of the net.
“The one key that we need to address is finishing,” Macmillan said. “We didn’t have enough opportunities from the possessions we had at their end.”
The Bobcats had opportunities to take the lead in the game, but were foiled by passes that travelled just beyond their intended target or shots that ricocheted off the post.
QUICK STATS
-Ohio sophomore Brittany Walker: 8 saves
-OSU sophomore Kaitlyn Wagner scored the game-winner.
ch203310@ohiou.edu
