The way in which Ohio fell in its Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinal against Miami Friday was not surprising, considering its track record this season.
The No. 4 seed Bobcats were defeated 3-2 by the eventual tournament champion, the RedHawks, in overtime for the final close defeat of a season that has been defined by disappointment. It was Ohio’s seventh one-goal loss and the Bobcats’ fifth that came in overtime.
Miami opened the game’s scoring in the 30th minute, when senior Olivia Miller set up junior Emily Gruesser on a penalty corner, beating Ohio sophomore goalie Brittany Walker.
But Miami’s lead wouldn’t stand for long, as Ohio freshman Adele Sammons received a feed from junior Jessica Jue and buried it in the back of the net for her second goal of the season at the 35-minute mark.
The Bobcats took the lead a minute later as Jue, a second team All-MAC selection, scored on a rebound opportunity off a shot from senior Taylor Brown.
The RedHawks tied the score at two midway through the second half when Miller recorded her second assist of the day, this time setting up sophomore Ali Froede, who also scored in Miami’s previous win against Ohio, for her fifth goal of the season.
Neither team could crack its opposing defense in the remainder of the second half, but the Bobcats couldn’t hold off Miami’s overtime attack. Freshman Bea Dechant converted on the RedHawks’ seventh penalty corner midway through the initial overtime period to end Ohio’s season.
Ohio coach Neil Macmillan said he was disappointed with yet another close loss, adding that he took a short walk after the game to collect his thoughts and emotions. But throughout all of that, he said, he was proud of his team’s effort.
“We played really well,” Macmillan said. “And I’m not meaning just in a tactical sense, as we really put a lot of effort into the game. There were so many people I could single out from the team for having an outstanding game.”
Senior Marissa Higgins said the Bobcats were on the top of their game, even in a defeat that ended her collegiate career.
“I think we played really well, honestly,” Higgins said. “I don’t know how much more I can say. We left it all out on the field.”
Macmillan said he couldn’t have had more pride in the way his team finished an often frustrating season.
“It is great evidence that no one gave up on the season,” he said. “Everyone was still under the belief that we could finish the season on a high and win the MAC Tournament. And you could see that in everyone’s faces, how determined they were going into the game. I was really proud of that.”
ch203310@ohiou.edu
