ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio University field hockey team (0-1) fell to Boston University (1-1), 4-3, on Sunday (Aug. 31) in its 2014 season opener at Pruitt Field.

 

"I think it was very encouraging when you look at our squad as a whole," said Ohio head coach Neil Macmillan. "We have four freshmen who started, so it was great to see the youngsters really contributing. They did a really good job today."

 

Freshman Maria Russell (Hudson, Ohio) led the way offensively for the Bobcats, scoring two goals on two shots.

 

Boston opened up the scoring in the 11th minute with a shot from sophomore Sara Martineau.

 

After a missed opportunity on a penalty corner, Ohio got its equalizer just seconds after Boston’s goal as Russell tallied her first career score from a good feed by senior Caelyn Hartley (Escondido, Calif.).

 

The back-and-forth scoring continued with a scramble in front of Ohio’s goal in the 18th minute, ending with a shot and a score from Boston sophomore Amanda Cassera. 

 

The 2-1 lead did not hold for long, though, as Ohio capitalized on a penalty corner with a great deflection from junior Adele Sammons (Upminster, England) in the 31st minute, redirecting the pass from senior Lauryl Desch (Charlottesville, Va.) into the back of the cage.

 

The Bobcats took the lead early in the second half on Russell’s second goal in the 39th minute, only to see Boston tie the score up again in the 42nd by way of a goal by junior Sofi Laurito off a penalty corner.

 

"To take the lead, it’s a little disappointing that we gave that up towards the end," said Macmillan. "We were right there the whole way, and that’s the thing that’s tough to swallow right now. We had the opportunities. We just didn’t quite capitalize on them."

 

Laurito broke the tie in 20 minutes later, netting the game winner in the 62nd after dribbling through the circle and ripping a hard-hit shot to put the Terriers up for good.

 

The Bobcats are back in action at Pruitt Field on Monday (Sept. 1) at noon ET as they play host to No. 5-ranked Syracuse University

 

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