Oct. 8, 2005

Final Stats

ATHENS, Ohio - Three unanswered goals in the first half and a solid defensive effort pushed the Ohio field hockey team to a 4-2 victory over Central Michigan Saturday in Mid-American Conference action at Peggy Pruitt Field.

With the win, Ohio (6-6, 4-0 MAC) improves to 4-0 in the conference and maintains its seat, all alone, atop the MAC standings. The 2005 squad is just the third Ohio team to ever jump out to 4-0 conference mark.

Torrie Albini (Escondido, Calif.) scored twice and the Ohio defense limited the league's highest-scoring offense to just eight shots and three penalty corners on the afternoon.

"Everything in our game plan worked," said Ohio Head Coach Neil Macmillan. "To hold them to eight shots and three corners is excellent. We did well with pressing the ball and worked good corners."

Albini opened the scoring at 12:58 in the first half. With the Central Michigan (6-7, 3-2 MAC) goaltender coming out away from the net, the sophomore found an opening and tipped it in on the left side to put the Bobcats on top early.

Later in the half, Ohio took advantage of one of its six first half penalty corners. Rachelle Coetzee (Bloemfontein, South Africa) notched her third goal of the season, crushing a straight shot from the top of the circle past the Chippewa defense. Chelsea Mearig (Lititz, Pa.) was credited with the assist and Ohio led by a pair.

Before the half came to a close, the Bobcats lit up the scoreboard one more time. Again off a penalty corner and again on a Mearig assist, Ohio found the back of the net. This time it was Megan Rentschler's (Akron, Pa.) turn to punch it in and with less than five minutes remaining in the half, Ohio took a 3-0 edge.

"I thought the first half was a very solid performance," Macmillan said. "We executed very well up front and I was especially pleased with our corner execution."

For the half, Ohio took 11 shots and limited Central Michigan to three shots and zero penalty corners.

To open up the scoring in the second frame, the Chippewas found the cage for the first time. Cleaning up around the net, Central Michigan's Kelly Jordan took a pass from Erica Takach and deposited it past the Ohio defense from close range. The Chippewas pulled to within two, but not for long.

Less than two minutes later, Albini was awarded a penalty shot and she took advantage, lifting it past Central Michigan's Danielle Frank and putting Ohio on top 4-1.

The Chippewas scored once more in the second half, a goal by Erin Dottery off a penalty corner as time expired.

For the game, Ohio took 22 shots--15 on goal--and was awarded 10 penalty corners. Jennifer Cote (Raynham, Mass.) made four stops in goal.

Frank made 11 saves for the Chippewas in the loss.

The Bobcats are the first team to four wins and the lone undefeated squad in MAC play.

Ohio stays home and in the conference on Sunday. The Bobcats will welcome Kent State to Pruitt Field. Game time is set for 1 p.m.