Despite a tough start to the 2005 season that included a loss in overtime to Duquesne, the Ohio lacrosse team's players and coaching staff are confident that the team will only get better as the season progresses.
We just have to put the losses behind us
goalie Jamie Levy said. We unfortunately lost the games but we will learn from them.
Levy has seen all the action in net so far this season, filling the shoes of departed net minder Jennifer Cassidy, who was a pillar in net for the Bobcats in 2004.
Tabbed to finish fifth of seven teams in the American Lacrosse Conference, the Bobcats will try to improve on last season's 8-8 overall record (3-3 in the ALC).
Sophomore Dana Dobbie -who was named to the 2005 ALC Preseason Team after earning First Team honors in 2004 -will lead the Bobcats' offense. Dobbie was second on the team with 34 goals and 48 points in 2004 behind offensive focal point and 2004 graduate Lynz Keys.
Dobbie's greatest contribution came last season from draw controls; she won 57 in 2004 and set the school record with 15 draws against St. Mary's. Dobbie also led the nation in assists per game before suffering a concussion that cost her five games. Dobbie led Ohio with 14 assists.
Dana is a go-to player and she's going to continue to be that coach Kate Brew said. She's a spark regardless of where she is on the field and brings energy to the team. We know she's going to be heavily marked double-and triple-teamed
so we're really looking to spread our scoring out this year.
Taking some pressure off Dobbie will be freshmen attackers Shannon Hadaway, Frannie Sullivan and Kelly Windle, three of nine freshmen on the team. The trio combined for four goals, two assists and 16 shots during its opening weekend.
Our huge freshman class has been so aggressive and ready to take this program to the next level
Dobbie said. We had an amazing team last year but right now we have so much character in our freshman.
A bonus for the Bobcats will be returning their defense, led by seniors Molly Wurdack, Katie Peksa, Meg Ryan and Lizzie Wilson.
We've returned our entire defense and we're feeling solid as far as that's concerned
Brew said. With a lot of younger players we are definitely playing a different style of game than last year.
The new style will hopefully pay off on the road, where the Bobcats struggled to a 2-8 record in 2004. This season, Ohio will play 10 of its 16 games at Peggy Pruitt Field.
Ohio upset then-No. 18 Penn State and defeated intrastate rival Ohio State to highlight the 2004 season. This year's schedule proves to be just as tough for the Bobcats, who have already faced No. 20 Notre Dame and welcome No. 3 Northwestern to Pruitt Field this weekend.
Johns Hopkins, Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt handed the Bobcats tough losses in 2004 but this season will have to try and do so on the road against Ohio where Brew is confident with her team.
We play very well at home
Brew said. The girls love the field and they feel very comfortable there. I would definitely say
starting off with a young team
it's nice to be in our comfort zone.
Ohio welcomes the Northwestern Wildcats at 1 p.m. on Saturday to Peggy Pruitt Field in the Bobcats' ALC opener.
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