Sept. 18, 2009
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Ohio Field Hockey got back on track Friday, beating the Colonials of Robert Morris by a score of 2-0. Katherine Ballard (Charlottesville, Va.) and Katelyn Shelley (Ephrata, Pa.) each scored for the Bobcats, registering their third and first goals on the year, respectively.
The `Cats got off to a quick start, peppering goaltender Stephanie Seeley with shots almost immediately. Macmillan's squad fired 18 shots in the first half to the Colonials' zero, yet the scores remained level at the break.
Ohio found the back of the net just moments into the second half when Ballard scored her third goal of the season. Her goal was assisted by freshman Cathryn Altdoerffer (Conestoga, Pa.), which was her second point on the 2009 campaign.
The Bobcats kept up the attack, scoring another goal just ten minutes after their first strike. Shelley, set up well by teammates Brittany Zorn (Millersivlle, Md.) and Marcy Dull (Ephrata, Pa.), was able to double the lead by putting another one past Seeley.
"We really moved the ball extremely well and created opportunities," said head coach Neil Macmillan. "Our defense held very strong and I was happy with their performance today."
A balanced attack was key for Ohio, as their 18 first half shots were closely matched by the 16 they posted in the second. 20 total penalty corners were earned by the `Cats, with 12 being in the first half and 8 in the second. The Green and White posted a terrific defensive performance in addition to their overwhelming offensive numbers, not allowing the home team a single shot, shot on goal or penalty corner.
Nine Bobcats found their way to the stat sheet with their shooting efforts. Ballard lead the way with 11 (nine on goal), followed by Dull with six, Taylor Brown (Elkton, Md.) with four, Taylor Anderson (Pittsburgh, Pa.) with four, Paige Herr (Lancaster Pa.) and the goal-scoring Shelley each had three, and Patty Donahue (Powell, Oh.), Laine Greenawalt (Pottstown, Pa.) and Altdoerffer all had one.
"I think the key was getting re-focused in practice," said Macmillan. "We just knew what we had to do and we performed well in practice this week and carried it forward to the game today. We did a good job out there."
The Bobcats have a few days off before playing at Saint Louis on the 26th and at Missouri State on the 27th. Game times are both set for 2 pm.
