When the 2003 field hockey season is over, Ohio's victory Saturday will be just another notch in the win column. This weekend, however, it meant a lot more.
Still searching for their first Mid-American Conference win of the season, the Bobcats shut out Ball State, 1-0, Saturday.
We needed to kind of get the monkey off our back and finally get a win
Ohio coach Shelly Morris said.
Ohio (3-7 overall, 1-2 MAC) and Ball State (5-7, 2-2 MAC) combined for four shots in the first half, but both teams went to the break scoreless. In the second half, however, the Bobcats found the back of the net.
Off a broken penalty corner at the 12:30 mark, midfielder Sarah Resch knocked a loose ball past Cardinals goaltender Tracy Bannister and gave the Bobcats a 1-0 lead. That was all they would need.
Resch said the victory did as much for the team's morale as it did for its record.
It was really important Resch said. Not only for our record in the MAC but for our confidence level.
The Bobcats out-shot Ball State 11-6.
Morris said Saturday's win leaves the team on a good note heading into next weekend's home match-ups against No. 18 Louisville and Miami.
I think it was crucial
Morris said. We wanted a 'W' going into next weekend.
