Luli Gomez Teruel netted three goals on just five shot attempts this past weekend during the Bobcats’ games against William & Mary and Louisville.
The senior’s lead-off goal against William & Mary boosted Ohio to a 2-1 victory before she also pushed the Bobcats to an opening lead against Louisville, which was one of her two goals in the contest.
“Luli was excellent this weekend, she did everything we want her to do,” coach Neil Macmillan said. “She’s great at finding the goal, but she was also set up very well by her teammates. They gave her great opportunities to score and she took advantage.”
The Bobcats began their weekend play with their first win of the season against the Tribe on Saturday.
Gomez Teruel’s goal put Ohio on the board early, when she buried a shot in the back of the goal off a perfect assist from senior Katherine Fenzel.
The Tribe’s Olivia Hajek then tied the game at one during the 22nd minute with an unassisted goal, and the game remained tied until Ohio junior Lauryl Desch scored an unassisted goal of her own in the 59th minute.
Looking to start a win streak, Ohio then took on Louisville on Sunday, but the Cardinals dominated the Bobcats, 6-2, despite Gomez Teruel leading off the scoring once again, with a goal during the eighth minute on an assist from sophomore Adele Sammons.
The Cardinals went on to score the next six goals between the 13th and 60th minutes, though Gomez Teruel scored again before the final seconds ticked off the clock.
Senior goalkeeper Brittany Walker was pulled in the 46th minute after the Cardinals’ fourth consecutive goal, but she had saved just one shot attempt to that point.
“The decision to pull Brittany was made just to change things up,” Macmillan said. “We were able to get everyone some playing time against Louisville, and that’s always a positive early in the season.”
With the Bobcats splitting the weekend’s games, their record sits at 1-3 on the year. Every game has been played away from Athens.
“My reaction to the weekend is mixed,” Macmillan said. “We looked really good on Saturday. We were able to slow down William & Mary’s up-tempo attack style and our ability to finish around the goal was improved as well.”
“On Sunday, however, we just weren’t up to Louisville’s level from a speed and fitness standpoint. We’ll look at the film and continue to improve ourselves this week.”
The Bobcats will continue to live on the road next weekend when they travel to Evanston, Ill., to take on Cal-Berkley and No. 11 Northwestern.
tj790511@ohiou.edu
