Bobcats split weekend

by Chris Littmann
Staff Writer

The Ohio field hockey team managed a weekend split at Pruitt Field, but a loss against No. 13 Kent State made a top-two finish in the Mid-American Conference a long shot.

The Bobcats (9-8 overall, 4-4 MAC) lost to the Golden Flashes 5-2 Friday, but recovered to defeat Southwest Missouri State (6-10) 2-0 Sunday.

Ohio struck first against Kent State with a goal from midfielder Andrea Voros. Forward Kristin Auge and midfielder Jenn Watt recorded assists on the penalty corner goal. Kent State, however, appeared undaunted and put the game out of reach with four consecutive goals of its own to close the half. Forward Jennifer Melnyk led the charge for the Golden Flashes with two first-half goals, including a penalty shot to round out the first-half scoring.

“We didn’t really have a bad game, we just had some unfortunate goals,” Voros said. “We were so fired up for this game it was unfortunate we just let a couple goals in.”

Voros scored for Ohio in the second half and midfielder Rebecca Rahaim scored for Kent State to cap the 5-2 match. The five goals were the most given up by the Bobcats at home since 1998.

“We get deflated too easy sometimes and we usually battle back but we didn’t on Friday,” Ohio coach Shelly Morris said.

Watt said the team was up and down during the game against Kent State.

“It was like a roller coaster,” Watt said. “We were mad (about the first half) but we came out fired up and held them in the second half. We really wanted to get them back.”

Ohio stepped out of conference to end the weekend to face Southwest Missouri State.

Voros started the scoring again for Ohio with 23:41 remaining in the contest, and forward Lindsay Rothenberger followed with her sixth goal of the season to give Ohio the 2-0 win.

The Bobcats dominated the first half of play, outshooting the Bears 13-0, but did not find the back of the net as the teams played to a scoreless tie at halftime.

Watt recorded four assists during the weekend, while Voros tallied three goals on penalty corners.

“Our corner unit is working really well, it’s not just my shot,” Voros said. “It’s the hitter, the stopper, everything is working really well and it makes my job easier.

The game marked the first collegiate start, victory and shutout for Ohio goalkeeper Jennifer Cote. Cote recorded one save, as the Bobcats held the Bears to three shots in the match.

“I think Ashley was really beaten down after Kent; we probably would’ve started (Cote) against them either way,” Morris said. “I think (Cote is) finally starting to get it. She’s made the transition from grass to turf and high school to college, so we wanted to give her a chance to show us what she can do in a game situation.”

Ohio faces first-place MAC opponent Central Michigan at 3 p.m. Friday at Pruitt Field.