Ohio (4-6, 1-2 Mid-American Conference) lost to James Madison (7-2, 3-0 MAC) by a score of 5-1. The game stayed competitive until the fourth quarter when Ohio's defense couldn't hold off James Madison's domineering offense.
James Madison took 21 shots in total, 13 of which were on goal and three penalty corners. Comparatively, Ohio took only four shots — all on goal — and three penalty corners.
The first quarter started slow on offense for both teams. The teams took three shots combined, none of which were successful. At the end of the quarter, Ohio had an opportunity to score off a penalty corner but couldn’t capitalize. The first quarter ended with a score of 0-0.
Things began to pick up offensively for both teams in the second quarter. After Ohio's defense blocked a penalty corner, James Madison’s Brynna Hill found the back of the net for the game's first score. About two minutes later, Ohio returned the favor with a goal from Anouk Plaehn on a penalty corner, assisted by Natalie Lafluer and Bodhi Littlefield. The score stayed 1-1 into halftime.
Both teams remained scoreless in the third quarter, much like the first. James Madison stayed aggressive offensively, taking eight shots in the quarter alone. However, Ohio matched its opponents on defense, stopping all eight shots with a few blocks and two saves by goalkeeper Macy Lotze.
Going into the final period still tied, it looked like it would be a gritty fight to the finish. However, James Madison came out on a tear.
Just over a minute in, James Madison's Mia Julian scored off an assist from Cassidy Strittmatter. From then on, Ohio's defense collapsed and couldn't retaliate.
James Madison didn't stop, scoring two more goals within five minutes of each other. It put the finishing touches on its win with a second goal from Hill with five minutes left. The game ended with a 5-1 James Madison victory.
"The first thing that we get to do right now is to go back and check the video and see how they ended up 2v1s in the back because it was wide open," Ohio coach Ali Johnstone said.
Despite a disappointing fourth-quarter performance, Johnstone praised her team's performance in the first half and its execution of the game plan.
"This is the first time the team actually followed the game plan as closely as we've asked them to," Johnstone said. "The press was unbelievable... It worked for the first three quarters [but] we need to be able to adapt and change a little bit quicker, but they did it absolutely beautifully, what we asked them to do, and it worked."
Ohio has a quick turnaround and will play its next game Sunday, Oct. 6, on the road against Miami.
