Oct. 18, 2009
Final Stats
ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio Field Hockey continued their winning streak Sunday, defeating the visiting Bears of Missouri State by a score of 4-2. The victory is the fourth in a row for the Bobcats, who are winners in five of their last six contests. Katelyn Shelley scored twice for Ohio, with Nina Bruno and Marcy Dull each adding a goal of their own. Jen McGill (Louisville, Ky.) was solid in net for the Green and White, making five saves on the day.
The match got off to a fast start, with Missouri State earning a corner in the first minute and generating two shots on goal as a result. McGill was equal to both of these attempts, keeping the scores level. Ohio then forced a penalty corner, which resulted in their first score. Bruno (Chevy Chase, Md.) was able to deflect a ball fed in by Katherine Ballard (Charlottesville, Va.) past the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper for the first strike of the match. The goal was Bruno's first of the season and put the `Cats up 1-0.
A few shots and fouls were traded over the next few minutes until Missouri State was able to level the scores on the strength of a Reiann Stoute goal in the 31st minute. This goal for the Bears was assisted by Alyssa Hile.
It was clear that the Bobcats were not content with the idea of a 1-1 score at halftime, and they really stepped up the pressure after Stoute's goal. Two Ballard shots were saved Steph Anderson, but Dull (Ephrata, Pa.) was able to break through by slamming one home off of an Ohio corner. The goal was Dull's fifth of the season, which ranks second on the team.
The `Cats came out on fire in the second half, absolutely peppering Missouri State's Anderson with shot after shot. They accumulated 21 total shots, 15 of which were in the second half.
Shelley scored two quick goals for Ohio in the 60th and 61st minutes. Scoring points in just about every game, Shelley easily made the transition from assists to goals in Sunday's match. Her two shots on goal both found the back of the net, giving Ohio a 4-1 lead.
"Great finishing," said head coach Neil Macmilan. "They were set up very well by Paige (Herr) and Patty (Donahue). They did some nice work getting the ball there and she put them away."
Missouri State tried to battle back late, scoring a goal in the 62nd minute. This tally by Hile would not prove significant, as the `Cats held on for a 4-2 victory.
Ohio is back in action next weekend with games against Duke and Central Michigan. The `Cats will battle the No. 15 Blue Devils at 1 pm on Saturday and the Chippewas at 1 pm on Sunday. Come out to Pruitt Field to catch more exciting field hockey action!
