Oct. 27, 2006
Box Score
ATHENS, Ohio - The Ohio field hockey team (11-7, 8-2 MAC) won its fourth consecutive game as the Bobcats defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas (10-9, 5-4 MAC) 3-1 in their final Mid-American Conference regular season game on Friday, Oct. 27 at Peggy Pruitt Field. With the win the Bobcats improve to 11-7 overall and 8-2 in the MAC. The win also gives the Bobcats the 2006 MAC Regular Season Championship and the number one seed in the MAC Championship.
The first half would prove to be a defensive battle as neither team found a way to score a goal. Central Michigan outshot the Bobcats 3-2 and earned three penalty corners while Ohio failed to earn a corner.
The Chippewas would get on the board first less than 15 minutes into the second half off an unassisted goal by Samantha Sandham. Less than two minutes later, Estienne Coetzee (Bloemfontein, South Africa) would tie the game at one with an unassisted goal.
Marcy Dull (Ephrata, Pa.) would add a goal at the 56:57 mark off an assist from Torrie Albini (Escondido, Calif.) to give the Bobcats a 2-1 advantage. Ten minutes later, the Bobcats would add an insurance goal by Albini off a penalty corner. Albini's goal was assisted by Nikki Gnozzio (Flanders, N.J.) and Rachelle Coetzee (Bloemfontein, South Africa).
Sophomore Jessie Martin (Louisville, Ky.) finished the game with two saves and one goal against, while Central Michigan goalkeeper Danielle Frank tallied three saves and three goals against. The Bobcats totaled nine shots on the game while holding the Chippewas to only five shots. Ohio had six shots on goal and the penalty corner battle was even at 3-3.
"Our goal at the beginning of the season was to get a first round bye in the MAC Tournament and now that we've won the regular season title that's a great achievement as well," said Head Coach Neil Macmillan. "But that doesn't mean anything right now because we are beginning a new season and the winner moves on to the NCAA play-in game. Moving on to the NCAA Tournament is up for grabs and the MAC tiltle is up for grabs, so we are excited about that."
The Bobcats will conclude regular season play with a non-conference match-up against Michigan State on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. at Peggy Pruitt Field.
