Ohio (2-8 overall, 1-2 Mid-American Conference) will kick off a three-game home stand against Bellarmine (1-8, 1-2 MAC). Here’s what you need to know:
Match Information:
Opponent: Bellarmine
Venue: Pruitt Field (Athens, Ohio)
Time: Friday at 1 p.m.
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Follow live stats here.
Ohio Notes:
The Bobcats have been on a bit of a hot streak recently. After two close losses in North Carolina, Ohio handed UMass its first loss of the season Friday. Later, it had a comeback against Central Michigan to force overtime Sunday but ultimately came up short.
Ohio currently sits 1-2 in MAC play and will be looking to go 2-2. Ohio only has one non-conference match remaining in the regular season, so nearly every game remaining on the schedule will be key in the Ohio’s chances at a third-straight MAC field hockey tournament appearance.
Ohio has recently worked to revamp its offense, to much success. After only scoring four goals in their first six games, the Bobcats have scored 10 times in the last four games. The Bobcats set season-highs in goals (4), shots (20) and shots on goal (16) against Central Michigan on Sunday. They will be looking to keep the pressure on the net and get as many scoring chances as possible Friday.
With a revamped offense and a team that looks to be playing its best field hockey of the season, Ohio will look to get back in the win column.
Bellarmine Notes
The Knights enter this game coming off their first win of the season and the first win of newly appointed head coach Toby Platt’s tenure, a 2-1 defeat of conference foe Longwood. They’ll look to keep the momentum up by making two wins in a row.
Ohio has been a thorn in the side of the Knights for some time now. The teams have previously met six times, with the Bobcats taking all six matchups by a combined margin of 27-8. Bellarmine will look to end the drought and claim its first ever win against Ohio.
Players to Watch: Anouk Plaehn (Ohio), Luna Tuncay (Bellarmine)
Plaehn enters this game scoring twice in the last four games, including the sole goal against UMass, which ended up being the game-winner. She’s started all 10 games for the Bobcats this season and will likely make it 11 Friday as she looks for another goal.
Tuncay is currently the Knights’ leading scorer, netting two goals so far this season, including a goal in the Knights’ most recent match against Longwood which ultimately was the game-winning goal. She is also tied for the team lead in points (4) and shots (8). She’ll look to score in back-to-back games and get her third goal in six games Friday.
