Ohio (1-6, Mid American Conference 0-1) lost their first conference match-up 5-3 against Appalachian State (5-1, MAC 1-0) Friday afternoon.
Blocked shots from the Bobcats’ defense kept them in the lead for the first half. Appalachian State’s Lise Boekaar led the Mountaineers' offense with five shots and three assists to mount a second-half comeback. Both teams used penalty corners to their advantage. The Bobcats scored one goal off a penalty corner, and the Mountaineers earned two.
The Bobcats started the game strong. Five shots in the first quarter led to two goals. The two teams exchanged possession for the first ten minutes. Neither goalie faced a shot. Each team blocked two shots and failed to capitalize on corners.
Then, Emily Risser took yet another corner for Ohio. She connected with senior Anouk Plaehn. The first shot on goal led to the first goal of the game. Appalachian State also got the ball on goal, but sophomore goalie Ash Stephenson made the save. Ohio midfielder Katie Cole scored the team’s second goal with a minute left in the quarter. Tiana Nhamoinesu provided the assist.
The second quarter passed with little fanfare. Nhamoinesu launched a shot which the Mountaineers’ goalie knocked away from the goal.
After halftime, Appalachian State came alive. Ohio’s offense stuttered to a halt. Appalachian State forward Hadley Kuzmicky scored a quick goal. Sarah Callery and Baylie Phillips gave Appalachian State the lead.
The Bobcats regained their form through two corner kick opportunities early in the final period. They shot four times, but couldn’t put a ball in the back of the net. Freshman back Ava Florence scored an unassisted goal for Ohio in the 53rd minute.
The momentum swung the Mountaineers’ way as the clock wound down. Stephenson made her fourth save of the game. Appalachian State’s Sophia Baxter scored after a penalty corner. Boekaar made her third assist of the night. With 30 seconds remaining, Callery scored her second goal.
Ohio’s offense had flashes of success but was unable to keep the pressure on the whole game. Appalachian State’s late surge defeated Ohio’s initially promising defense.
The Bobcats walk away with their most goals in a game this season. They turn their attention to the next opponent, Davidson (4-3, Atlantic 10 1-0) on Sunday. They are looking for their second win ahead of the home opener the following weekend. They will play against undefeated UMass (7-0, MAC 1-0) at Pruitt Field on Sept. 26.
