Ohio (3-9, Mid-American Conference 2-3) defeated Queens (N.C.) (2-8, Independent 0-1) 2-1 while celebrating the team’s seniors at Pruitt Field on Sunday. Ohio’s strong defense limited Queens to only four shots. This is the second game in a row that Ohio has vastly outshot its opponent, with a total of 22 shots. Queens’ goalie stepped up, making 13 saves and facing 16 corners, but the lack of offense lost the game.
Four of the Bobcats’ seniors started the game: Sasha Dikotla, Emily Risser, Anouk Plaehn and Aaliyah Edwards. Senior Mary Huffman has been sidelined all season by injury.
“They’re detail-oriented,” head coach Ali Johnstone said. “Their work off the field, they take the details seriously. It was them who knew we needed to bring this onto the field. I kind of joke with them that I don't ever want them to graduate.”
The Royals are a small team, only 12 players and a goalie. The Bobcats used this to their advantage and were able to outlast the Royals in overtime.
”In field hockey, you need to be able to repeat sprint abilities,” Johnstone said. “And we do that every week.”
Bobcats’ junior Emily Beitzel started with a quick first shot less than a minute in. The Royals’ goalie, Madison Destefano, ran out to stop the shot. Her aggressive playing style would continue throughout the game. After scoring attempts by both teams, the Royals struck first. Hensley Miller scored her second goal of the season.
Ohio made an offensive push in the final two minutes of the first quarter. A penalty corner gave the team a chance. Anouk Plaehn’s first shot was blocked, but she secured the rebound and scored. An evenly matched quarter ended with a tied score.
The second quarter started like the first, back and forth with no clear winner of possession. Junior Natalie LaFleur fought her way down the field and earned a corner. The Bobcats had three more corners and kept control of the ball for most of the rest of the period.
Ohio intensified its offense in the second half. They took seven shots and six corner penalties, but were unable to score.
The Royals blocked Plaehn’s shot on the first corner of the period. The Bobcats earned another immediately. They shot and scored this time, but the goal was negated since it was a dangerous shot. The Royals’ Destefano made an impressive diving save on Karley DuCoin’s shot two minutes later.
A reliable defense led by Deborah James, Rowan Casey and Risser prevented Queens from generating any offense. Ohio dominated possession. Once again, Ohio earned a last-minute corner. Destefano collected another save on freshman Adi Geer’s shot.
Throughout the game, freshman Tiana Nhamoinesu stood out with her consistent hustle. In the fourth quarter, she sprinted down the field after long passes. Time and again, she protected Ohio’s possession of the ball with her speed.
“Our entire forward line is so quick,” LaFleur said. “When we have those breakaway opportunities, I always know I'm not alone up there. We love our fast forwards.”
Plaehn shot four times on four corners. The Royals' defense held firm as they rushed out of the goal each time. Both teams had a final corner as the clock approached the end of regulation. A wide-open net after a neat passing play by the Royals spelled the end for the Bobcats, but Miller, the goal scorer in the first period, missed wide. The Bobcats took the lucky break and prepared for overtime.
In the seven-on-seven overtime, Dikotla shot wide during Ohio’s first push towards the goal. Queens’ Miller received a green card, leaving the team shorthanded. Ohio retained possession but only managed one shot.
A penalty corner for Ohio turned into a scoring chance for Queens when it controlled the rebound. Ohio goalie Gwen Hershberger made a key save. A quick pass gave LaFleur a breakaway opportunity that she converted for a huge game-winning goal.
“Seven-on-seven is a really good opportunity for everyone to make space,” LaFleur said. “The forwards get high (by the goal), and the goalie is left with a decision. We are told to pull right and just shoot. So I just did the textbook play.”
Her game-winning goal marked the Bobcats’ third win and second at home.
The Bobcats' remaining schedule is all conference play. Next, Ohio takes on Ball State (3-9, MAC 1-3) Oct. 10 at Pruitt Field. To secure the win, the team needs to continue its streak of outshooting its opponents.
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