Ohio (2-7, Mid-American Conference 1-1) defeated No. 11 UMass (8-1, MAC 1-1) by a score of 1-0 in front of a large crowd in the team’s first home game of the season.
This game marked Ohio’s first in-conference win and the first shutout of the season. Anouk Plaehn scored the game’s lone goal in the fourth quarter. Sophomore goalie Ash Stephenson sealed the net along with Ohio’s steadfast defense. Although UMass had offensive possession most of the game, the team was unable to score. This loss ends its eight-game win streak.
“Going into the game, we changed our press,” head coach Ali Johnstone said. “UMass is a very good team. They shift around constantly, so we worked on our footwork and communication. It’s important to protect your feet against this team. They draw a lot of corners.”
The Bobcats started with first touch on the newly redone Pruitt Field. The Minutewomen quickly gained possession. During this offensive push, freshman Emily Barrett shot wide. The Bobcats eventually took their turn on offense. After an aggressive play by UMass goalie Myrte van Herwijnen, Ohio’s Sasha Dikotla forced a penalty corner. Plaehn missed high.
UMass maintained pressure on the Ohio goal for the rest of the period. Ohio’s defense, led by senior Emily Risser and sophomore Deborah James, made stops again and again. The team couldn’t get the ball past the center line, though. Stephenson made her first save of the game with less than a minute left.
Stephenson had worked with her coach, Katie Maxim, all week on moving across the net to make saves.
"I've been burned a lot of times, trying to make that save,” Stephenson said. “Coach Katie helped me with my footwork. Sometimes I don’t even realize I’m doing it. Then I’m like, oh my god it’s all coming together.”
As the clouds covered the sky, the Bobcats went on the offense. Goalie van Herwijnen saved both Bobcat shots. She is one of the best goalkeepers in the country as he ranks fifth in goals against average.
The Minutewomen turned the ball up the field and earned a corner. A short pause for a goalie equipment malfunction halted their momentum. This corner became a series of five penalty corners with the Minutewomen taking a shot each time. Three players now had two shots each: Lina Kroeger, Elena Cloconeanu and Barrett.
UMass retained possession to the end of the half. The teams revised their game plans as the field was watered.
Ohio continued to play stellar defense in the third. They consistently pushed UMass to the edge of the field. UMass kept control of the game but only managed two shots.
“They have very good aerials,” Johnstone said. “So do we. I wanted us to focus on minimizing their chances to get through with the aerials.”
During the first two minutes of the quarter, the Bobcats kept the ball in the offensive zone. Their only other chance to score came off a poor pass by the Minutewomen. The Bobcats quickly lost possession.
The pressure was on for Ohio to finally sustain offensive possession. The teams went back and forth at the beginning of the fourth. Ohio blocked a shot before pushing towards UMass’s goal.
Three and a half minutes into the quarter, Ohio was awarded a penalty corner. Risser passed to Plaehn. She dribbled a little, then took a shot at the right side of the goal. Plaehn’s goal is her second of the year.
“I don’t think she (Plaehn) meant to shoot it. But she found a hole and it went in.” Johnstone said.
Stephenson comes up with a crucial save as the clock winds down. The Bobcats kept their opponents away from the goal. The Minutewomen put Ohio’s defense to the test, and the Bobcats showed up. By minimizing scoring chances, they defeated a team much stronger on paper.
“We were really nervous going in,” Stephenson said. “But when we know a team will be a challenge, that’s when we play to the best of our abilities. This win showed that.”
”I don’t think there is an English word for how excited I am,” Johnstone said.
Next, the Bobcats take on Central Michigan on Sept. 28. Central Michigan is coming off its first conference win, as well. Both teams will aim to capitalize on their recent success.
