It took 100 minutes and two overtimes, but Ohio defeated Mid-American Conference newcomer Longwood in a shootout to tally their second win.
It took 100 minutes and two overtimes, but Ohio defeated Mid-American Conference newcomer Longwood in a shootout to tally their second win.
After starting 0-3, the Bobcats have turned their season around with back-to-back wins this weekend after also defeating Ohio State on Friday, 1-0.
Coach Neil Macmillan said the Bobcats got better as time went on in their matchup against the Lancers, as Ohio was more aggressive offensively than in previous games.
“I think our first half was a little shaky,” Macmillan said. “Second half we solidified things, especially up front, in terms of pressing the ball. In overtime, we looked pretty good out there. I was relatively happy. It’s always scary when you give away a short corner in overtime.”
Ohio outshot and produced more corners than Longwood, as Lauryl Desch and the Bobcats garnered 16 shots in four periods.
Desch, a redshirt senior, notched five shots against Longwood and helped the Bobcats outpace the Lancers 3-2 in penalty flicks.
“As a unit we’re finally clicking on the field, like we did off the field in our initial preseason,” Desch said. “It’s fun to get our freshmen involved with the upperclassmen. I think we knew going into (the season) we were going to take a little longer to get to Bobcat play and adjust with the new team.”
After a late save against Ohio State, goalie Brittany Walker was a significant factor again. Walker had a crucial save during the Bobcats’ shootout, as she saved three of the Lancers’ five shots.
Defensively, Ohio was relentless after it totalled 21 fouls, giving the Lancers multiple chances to score in the first and second overtime.
During both overtimes, however, Macmillan played mostly his veteran players to keep pace, but freshman Rachel Kho was selected to shoot during penalty flicks.
Walker said Macmillan and the upperclassmen don’t distinguish their team by grade or class, and that giving the nod to a freshman wasn’t a big deal.
“We kinda implement that there is no such thing as a ‘freshmen’. We’ll give them a one game giveaway, but now, ‘I’m inexperienced, I’m a freshmen’ we’re like, ‘No you’re an Ohio field hockey player.’ they’re just as important as me,” Walker said. “That’s what we really preach, we all one unit — were all here to win a MAC championship.”
Earlier in the weekend, Ohio defeated Ohio State to nab its first win. It was the first time in three years the Bobcats defeated the Buckeyes.
Macmillan said the team is turning around at the right time.
“I think we are really getting organized,” Macmillan said. “(Walker) has really been playing at a high level, which we know she can. The rest of the defense is very well organized, so I’m just happy the way we’re playing defense, not just in the backline, but across the three lines.”
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