STANFORD, Calif. – The Ohio field hockey team (1-4) continued its California road trip on Friday (Sept. 12), falling, 2-1, at Stanford (3-2) at the Varsity Field Hockey Turf. 

Overall, Stanford outshot Ohio 11-3 with six shots on goal compared to Ohio's two. Stanford also took three penalty corners, while the Bobcats only recorded one. 

Individually, senior Sasha Dikotla (Johannesburg, South Africa) led the Bobcats with one goal on one shot, while freshman Karley DuCoin (Turnersville, NJ) and senior Emily Risser (Palmyra, Pa.) both recorded shots for the Bobcats. 

In goal, sophomore Ash Stephenson (Kingston Upon Hull, England) got the start in goal and played all 45 minutes, allowing two goals while making four saves.

Ohio struck first just four minutes into the first quarter after the Bobcats and Dikotla capitalized on a penalty corner, giving the Bobcats and early 1-0 lead. Both teams kept up the defensive pressure on both ends of the field. However, as time was winding down in the first quarter, Stanford capitalized on their own penalty corner, tying the game at 1-1 after one full quarter of play.

Stanford struck early in the second quarter, taking a 2-1 lead one minute into the quarter. Stanford continued to control the pace through most of the second quarter, however, the Ohio defense held solid in front of the cage, forcing Stanford to turn the ball over as the quarter came to a close, keeping the deficit at 2-1 headed into the half. 

At the half, Stanford outshot Ohio 4-3, with three shots on goal compared to Ohio's two. 

Stanford opened the third quarter with a shot a little over a minute in, however, Stephenson was able to make the save, keeping the deficit at 2-1. Both team's defenses continued to keep the offense at bay, with both sides trading possession over the course of the quarter. Stanford looked to add on as time expired in the quarter, with an attempt off a penalty corner that was saved, keeping the game at 2-1 headed into the final quarter. 

Stanford opened the fourth quarter putting all the pressure on the Ohio defense, recording back-to-back attempts in the opening minutes. However, Ohio held strong and continued to counter the Cardinal pressure. Stanford looked to add on in the final minutes, but Ohio was able to force the turnover and work to get the final attempt to even the score as time ticked off the clock, however, the Bobcats were unable to get the equalizer, falling 2-1.  

Up next, the Bobcats wrap up their West Coast road trip on Sunday, Sept. 14 when Ohio takes on Cal. First touch is set for 4 p.m. ET and can be seen on ACCNX. 

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