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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio field hockey team fell 5-1 to James Madison Friday afternoon (Oct. 4). It was Ohio's first match against James Madison since 2008.
Ohio's (4-6,1-2 Mid-American Conference) defense worked relentlessly to keep James Madison (7-2, 3-0 MAC) out of the circle throughout the first quarter. James Madison took its lowest number of shots, two, in that timeframe. However, Ohio's pressure was met by its opponent. Ohio left the first quarter scoreless as well.
The Dukes broke the stalemate with a goal by Brynna Hill in the middle of the second quarter. Minutes later, junior back Anouk Plaehn (Hanover, Germany) evened the score off a Bobcat penalty corner. She was assisted by sophomore forward Natalie LaFleur (Fredericksburg, Va.) and senior midfielder Bodhi Littlefield (Oakland, Maine).
Plaehn also contributed to Ohio's attack in the backfield. She racked up a career-high two defensive saves while fighting off James Madison.
"She just ripped it right to that corner, and then it went in. That was really fun," head coach Ali Johnstone said. "We did call for Anouk for a straight shot on the keeper, but we didn't anticipate that. What she's brilliant at is, like seeing what was available, and she just pulled right. From our angle, I could see it like we watched it go in the whole way."
James Madison surged in the second half. It added four goals in nine minutes to seal the victory.
"To be honest, this is the first time the team actually followed the game plan as closely as we've asked them to for their press," Johnstone said. "It worked for the first three quarters, and then (James Madison) ripped it apart in the fourth so we need to be able to adapt and change a little bit quicker, but they did it absolutely beautifully, what we asked them to do, and it worked."
Graduate Student goalie Macy Lotze (Louisville, Ky.) recorded six saves off of James Madison's 21 shots.
Ohio will be back in action on Sunday (Oct. 6) against Miami. First touch is set for 1 p.m. in Oxford, Ohio.
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