The Bobcats could not stay undefeated in the Mid-American Conference as they fell 3-1 to Longwood (6-8, 1-3 MAC) in Farmville, Virginia, on Sunday afternoon.
The second half started off poorly as Longwood scored after just 36 seconds, but Ohio answered less than 30 seconds later with Maria Russell scoring Ohio’s first, and only, goal of the game. Russell is second on the team with six goals, half the amount she scored last season.
The first twenty minutes of the game were back and forth with a total of three shots, but in the 22nd minute, Longwood was able to convert on its third shot of the game. Leonie Verstraete received the ball in front of the net and fired it in for the 1-0 lead and her 12th of the season.
Despite being outshot 9-3 in the first half, it wasn't looking bad for Ohio, only down one goal.
Ohio responded well with Russell's goal, but was never able to take control of the game, as after every opportunity Ohio got, Longwood would respond with at least two opportunities of their own.
In the final three minutes, Ohio was able to attempt three shots, but by that time the Bobcats had a tall order if they wanted to come back. The Lancers scored their third goal of the game in the 67th minute to put the game out of reach.
Alex Pennington made her sixth consecutive start in goal for the Bobcats and was solid, as she made six saves on the afternoon. It was just the second loss Ohio has suffered with Pennington starting in goal.
Ohio returns home from their two-game road trip to take on conference leader Kent State (9-5, 5-0 MAC) Oct. 21 at 3 p.m. in the final home game of the season.
ew399115@ohio.edu
