What started as a one-player offense has morphed into a two-pronged attack for the Bobcats.
Cathryn Altdoerffer recently joined fellow sophomore Taylor Brown as one of Ohio's most prolific scorers, and it couldn't have come sooner for a struggling offense.
Altdoerffer has ripped off seven goals since Sept. 11, when the Bobcats began a five-game winning streak that revived a 1-5 record. Her total is also the most on the team during that span.
She scored five of those goals during the win streak, which included the game-winner in overtime against Miami and a hat trick against Ball State.
It always is nice when you get the ball in the net when you try so many times
Altdoerffer said after the Ball State match. I don't think I'm doing anything differently. It's just working for me this time.
Just a few weekends ago, Brown single-handedly filled Ohio's box scores with shots and goals.
But Altdoerffer, who scored twice Sunday during a loss at Michigan State, has almost caught up with her on the stat sheet. She is second only to Brown on the team in goals, points and shots.
Along with Brown, Altdoerffer is also near the top of the Mid-American Conference leader boards.
With seven goals, she ranks fifth in the conference while Brown is tied for first with nine.
Altdoerffer is tied for fourth in shots with 41, and Brown is ranked second with 58.
So what happened that allowed Altdoerffer to flourish?
We've recognized a way to use her speed and the skill that she possesses coach Neil Macmillan said. I think she's now got the confidence to take shots. That just comes with scoring goals.
Altdoerffer's surge in scoring was officially recognized for the first time last week.
She was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Week Sept. 29 for tallying four goals and an assist against the RedHawks and Cardinals.
Ohio falls in national poll
The Bobcats received fewer votes last week in the Kookaburra/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I National Coaches Poll.
The team received six votes, which was 31st in the country. MAC rival Kent State placed 21st with 105 votes, and Miami was 34th with three.
Last week Ohio was 29th in the nation with 14 votes. The most it has gotten is 21 votes, during week three of the poll.
Macmillan said the rankings do not affect a team's chances at getting into the NCAA Tournament.
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Sports
Nathaniel Maund
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Ohio forward Cathryn Altdoerffer dribbles past Ball State forward Ellen Vonderbrink during the game at Pruitt Field Sunday, Sept. 26. Ohio won against Ball State 7-0. (Maddie Meyer | FOR THE POST)
