Ohio defeated Indiana 2-1 in overtime and captured its first victory against a Big 10 opponent this season. It was also the Bobcats’ third straight victory, tying their longest winning streak of the season.
“It has been a while since this program has beaten a Big 10 team,” coach Ali Johnstone said. “The Big 10 is a strong conference, and it's nice to come away with a win.”
The physicality of the match was high with both teams drawing multiple fouls. Each team had six penalty corners, which led to a goal for each team. The Hoosiers had four fouls while the Bobcats had three.
The first goal of the match came with one minute to play in the third quarter. Ohio was rewarded with a penalty stroke, and redshirt senior Kendall Ballard scored.
With four minutes left to play, the Hoosiers pulled their goalie to have a one-player advantage on offense. The strategy worked, as Indiana tied the match off a penalty corner with 30 seconds left, leading to overtime.
The teams went back and forth, trading shot for shot until Ballard found the back of the goal for the second and final time in Sunday’s match.
“Everything was building towards that moment,” Ballard said. “We gave ourselves a really good opportunity.”
That goal was Ballard’s seventh goal on the season, and she leads the team in that category.
Ohio’s defense was strong once again, as it held the Hoosiers to just one goal. In the Bobcats’ last four matches, they have only allowed a total of three goals. The defense has been the key to their recent success, and they hope to keep up the great play.
Ohio (8-5, 4-1 MAC) will face Mid-American Conference rival Miami on Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. at Pruitt Field.
