It could be said that Ohio entered its contest against Wake Forest with a flair for the dramatic, taking part of three overtime contests, including two games that went beyond the extra time and into a penalty shootout.
Ohio continued to build the tension Wednesday, as it took Ohio until the final minutes of a second overtime to defeat No. 16 Wake Forest 3-2 in Winston Salem, N.C.
The Bobcats started off fast, similar to its last game against St. Joseph’s, scoring two goals in the opening 15 minutes of the match and establishing their presence early.
Sophomore Ashley Cureton notched her second goal of the season in the14th minute, deflecting senior Taylor Brown’s shot past the goalie. Less than a minute later, junior Jessica Jue swiped the ball from a Demon Deacon defender in the circle and increased Ohio’s lead to 2.
But Wake Forest countered with its leading scorer, junior Jess McFadyen. She scored the Demon Deacons first goal of the game in the22nd minute and tied the score with a little more than five minutes remaining in regulation off a penalty corner from teammate Anna Kozniuk.
Ohio was outshot 26-12 and trailed 15-1 on penalty corners, but the defense limited the quality of opportunities by the opponent and kept the team afloat through the overtime periods.
“I think when you look at it, there were a lot of shots,” Ohio coach Neil Macmillan said. “But there were a lot of shots that they didn’t get off because we blocked a good deal of them … That was great, great defense by us. I thought that was outstanding and (sophomore Brittany Walker) was unbelievable in goal today.”
The defense held off a few late attacks by Wake in the last five minutes to force overtime, where the Bobcats utilized its superior fitness, which Macmillan said has been the team’s strength all season.
In the final minutes of the second overtime, Ohio forced its first and only penalty corner of the game. The Bobcats wouldn’t waste the opportunity as Brown fed Jue, who nailed the game-winner into the back of the net for her third goal of the season.
“I had so much in my head right then,” Jue said. “I was like ‘Don’t mess this up. Please don’t let it hit my foot’ and everything. It felt like the ball was moving into the net in slow motion … I couldn’t even hold my joy.”
The win gave Ohio its first victory against a ranked opponent this season and helped build on the team’s momentum entering the final five games of the season.
“It’s a huge confidence booster,” Jue said. “Losing a few games we shouldn’t have, this game really meant a lot to all of us because all of our hearts are lifted. We left everything out on the field and it felt really good to bring home a win.”
QUICK STATS
- Jessica Jue scored two goals, including the game-winner.
- Ashley Cureton scored her second goal of the season.
- Goalie Brittany Walker made six saves on eight shots on goal.
ch203310@ohiou.edu
