Ohio (4-7, 1-3 Mid-American Conference) traveled on the road to Miami (6-6, 3-1 MAC) where it lost by a score of 5-1. The game stayed competitive until the second half when Ohio’s defense struggled to hold off the aggressive Miami offense.
The Redhawks finished the game with 28 total shots, 22 of which were on goal, and 11 penalty corners. In compassion to the Bobcats, five shots, two on goal, and two penalty corners.
The first period started with a competitive offensive showing by both sides, with the teams combined for nine shots. The Bobcats took the first shot of the game off a penalty corner from grad student Meela Kopp. The Bobcats failed to execute on this opportunity as Kopp’s shot was blocked.
The Redhawks responded with three straight shots, one saved and two connecting from seniors Claudia Negrete Garcia and Carlie Servis, giving the Redhawks an early 2-0 lead. The Bobcats continued to fight as they responded with a goal late in the period from freshman Marie De Grande cutting the deficit to one. The period ended with the Redhawks up 2-1.
The second period was highlighted by tough defensive showing from both teams. The Bobcats' defense held firm holding Miami scoreless on six shots led by senior Macy Lotze's four saves* and a defensive save by senior Boddhi Littlefield.
The Bobcats missed an opportunity to tie the game late in the period with a close shot that missed wide from Senior Noa Desmaetz. Headed into halftime the Redhawks still led by a score of 2-1.
Similar to the first, the Redhawks turned up the heat in the third accumulating seven shots on goal, including two goals to extend their lead from junior Becca Lawn and grad student Paula Pena Martinez. Comparatively, the Bobcats were shut out against the Redhawks’ aggressiveness. Loetze continued to fight in goal, accumulating four more saves. The third period concluded with the Redhawks leading 4-1.
The final period consisted of a back-and-forth fight for possession till the end. The Redhawks scored their final goal from senior Reese Warren but the Bobcats kept fighting, including a late opportunity to respond late which they failed to execute. The Redhawks outshot the Bobcats in the fourth, eight-to-one, including five saves from Lotze and a defensive save from grad student Maala Kopp. The game ended in a Redhawks 5-1 victory.
Garcia and Martinez led the Redhawks charge finishing the game with a combined 10 shots on goal. Servis led the team with four of its six assists and a goal to go with it.
The Bobcats’ defense fought hard as the team finished with 17 saves, 15 from Lotze who finished the game with a save percentage of .682, and Kopp’s two shots and a defensive save with De Grande adding the first goal of her collegiate career.
Ohio will look to bounce back on the road against 3-7 Bellarmine Friday at 8 p.m. in Louisville, Kentucky.
