Aug. 26, 2007

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LANSING, Mich. - The Ohio field hockey team wrapped up the Champions Invitational Tournament on Sunday with a 3-2 loss to tourney host No. 19 Michigan State in overtime.

The Bobcats fall to 1-1 on the season with the loss, after defeating fourth-ranked Duke yesterday in the season opener. The Spartans improve to 2-0 on the season.

"Overall, I think we played well," said Head Coach Neil Macmillan. "We had several opportunities to win but didn't capitalize on them. You have to give credit to Michigan State because they played a good game."

The Spartans scored the first goal of the game as Gwen Riley took a feed from Amanda Huck to take an early 1-0 lead in the contest.

Ohio got on the board when senior Torrie Albini (Escondido, Calif.) rebounded her own missed shot off the goal post to score and tie the game, 1-1, at the 16:35 mark.

The game remained tied going into the half with the Bobcats leading the Spartans in shots, 9-3, and corners, 5-1.

Michigan State took a 2-1 lead in the second half at the 58:38 mark off a goal by Floor Rijpma.

It didn't take long for the Bobcats to get the equalizer. A corner by Nikki Gnozzio (Flanders, N.J.) was sent to Katelyn Shelley (Ephrata, Pa.) who scored at 61:10 to knot the score, 2-2, and send the game into overtime.

The Spartans had all three shots and two corners in the extra frame. Becky Manning sent the ball from the corner into play, causing a scramble in front and a rebound. It was then Manning who found the loose ball to the right of the goalkeeper and slammed it home for the Spartan victory.

Ohio goalie Jessie Martin (Louisville, Ky.) and Michigan State goalie Elissa Unger each made five saves.

The Bobcats will be back in action on Sept. 2 against the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio.