DAVIDSON, North Carolina – Ohio field hockey (6-9) fell to Davidson College (7-11) Sunday afternoon (Oct. 29) by a score of 3-2.  

Overall, the Bobcats recorded 14 shots with nine on target. Ohio received seven penalty corners and capitalized with goals off two of them. 

The Bobcats were led offensively by fifth year Katelyn Whittle (Glenwood, Md.) and sophomore Sasha Dikotla (Johannesburg, South Africa). Whittle recorded her 18th goal for the season from her six shots on goal, while Dikotla had her third goal for the season and tallied two shots on goal.  

Senior goalkeeper Macy Lotze (Louisville, Ky.) played 58 minutes before being subbed out for an extra attacker late. Lotze faced five shots on target, making two saves. 

The first period started in favor of the Wildcats, scoring on their first shot in the 7th minute to take the early lead. After a save from Lotze, the Bobcats forced the counterattack to get into offensive zone to draw their first penalty corner of the afternoon. Ohio controlled possession in the crease and was awarded two additional penalty corners each resulting in a shot.  

Davidson was awarded their first penalty soon after the start of the second period and tipped the ball in to double their lead at 2-0. The Bobcats quickly answered with a penalty corner of their own. Senior Meela Kopp (Louisville, Ky.) found the ball in the crease and sent it over to Dikotla, who found the back of the net for her third goal of the season. The Wildcats had consistent pressure on the Bobcats in their own defensive zone, forcing fifth year Weslee Littlefield (Oakland, Maine) to foul and take the yellow card. Davidson took advantage and scored with a player up to put the score at 3-1 heading into the half.  

Substitutions came flowing in with the teams' switching possessions around midfield. The Bobcat defense kept the Wildcats out of the crease, only allowing one penalty corner followed by a shot off target late in the third. 

After only having two shots in the third, Ohio quickly drew a penalty corner. Whittle took position and played the ball in for the give and go, finding sophomore Anouk Plaehn (Hanover, Germany),who played the ball back to Whittle for the shot and goal. The Bobcats continued constant offensive pressure, taking shot after shot. Emptying the net, the Bobcats were knocking on the door, but were still looking for the crucial tying goal. Despite great fourth period play, the buzzer beater shot from Whittle was saved and the Bobcats closed their regular season with defeat. 

Up next:  

The Bobcats will travel to Oxford, Ohio as the four seed to take on top ranked Miami (OH) in the semifinals of the 2023 MAC Tournament. First touch against the RedHawks is set for 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 3.  


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