The Ohio women's lacrosse team ended its spring break road trip in California in almost a record-breaking fashion.
The Bobcats (4-3) tied the school record for goals in a 22-12 Saturday stomping against St. Mary's (2-6). Ohio rebounded in a big way from a 14-10 loss to Stanford (5-4) earlier in the week.
We knew we had to play a complete game
coach Kate Brew said. Against Stanford we were down by six and then by only one. We needed to be more consistent.
Despite finding themselves in a one-goal hole only 29 seconds into the game, midfielder Caitlin Link got Ohio's scoring antics alive less than a minute later on a free possession score. Less than one minute later, midfielder Kristen Gombeski gave the Bobcats a lead they would never lose on another free position opportunity.
We got exactly what we were looking for Brew said. We had a lot of people step up for us and score some goals which we have been looking for all season.
Within the next few minutes, Ohio increased its lead to four thanks to goals from midfielders Lynz Keys and Dana Dobbie and defenseman Katie Peksa.
St. Mary's rallied with a little more than 12 minutes remaining in the half, cutting the Ohio lead to three before the teams entered the locker room with Ohio leading 9-6.
We needed to step it up in the midfield Brew said. We knew we needed to gain possession and keep it. Dana (Dobbie) played a big part there with 15 draw controls.
The Gaels threatened early in the second half, returning the game to a one-goal contest, 9-8, only minutes into the half. Keys answered 18 seconds after the eighth St. Mary's tally and Ohio never slowed after.
Seven of the next eight goals were Ohio points. Three goals in the final two minutes gave Ohio a share of the school's record for goals in a game. Although she wishes Ohio would have given up a few less, Brew was positive about the scoring.
Whenever you tie or break a record it's great
said Brew.
Keys and Dobbie each had five goals for Ohio, and Link scored three, while Gombeski and attacker Emily Hemmelgarn had two. The Bobcats recorded a season-high 14 assists, led by Keys, who had four.
The Bobcats will play at home for the first time since their opening weekend Friday at 4 p.m. against Davidson at Peggy Pruitt Field.
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