Friday's Scoreboard
Longwood 1, Drexel 0
Ohio State 1, Ball State 0
Indiana 3, Central Michigan 2
Louisville 6, Ohio 0
Michigan State 3, Kent State 1
Stories Courtesy of MAC Sports Information
Longwood 1, Drexel 0
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Longwood field hockey ended its 2021 spring season with back-to-back shutouts and a four-game winning streak. Four months later, the Lancers picked up right where they left off.
In their 2021 fall opener Friday night at Buckley Field, a shutdown performance from the backfield and a game-winning goal from senior Kolbey Donahue powered a 1-0 road win over Drexel that extended the Lancers' win streak to five and shutout streak to three games.
Anchored by a four-save performance from senior goalkeeper Madison Nuckols and a stifling effort from the backline, Longwood (1-0) limited Drexel (0-1) to just eight shots on the night. That backline, led by All-MAC first-teamer Luna Lopez and fellow starters Donahue and Caroline Verhappen, let only four of those on target, all of which Nuckols knocked away.
The clean sheet was enough to make a third-quarter penalty corner goal from Donahue stand as the game-winner and secured the Lancers a season-opening win for the fifth time in the past six seasons.
"We are very proud of our first team performance," said Longwood head coach Iain Byers, who opened his 14th season as the Lancers' head coach Friday.
"Drexel is a strong team that moved the ball around very well. We were resilient in our defense and took advantage of our opportunities. It was a great start to the season. We have a lot to learn and a lot to improve on, but we're excited to do so."
That resiliency from Longwood's backline also held Drexel's All-CAA first team forward Eline di Leva without a shot for only the second time in her collegiate career.
Meanwhile, Longwood's offense generated 16 shots with sophomore Kate Frey taking a team-high four of those. Longwood's lone goal came off a penalty corner that led to a setup pass from Lopez that Donahue finished off for the first Lancer goal of the season.
"Today we played a good game and fought as a team," said Donahue, whose goal was her first game-winner. "Drexel's a great team, but we prevailed together to pull it out. We held our own, and we're just getting started."
The win opens a two-game road trip to the Keystone State for the Lancers, who will head to Bethlehem, Pa., to face Lehigh Sunday at 11 a.m.
Ohio State 1, Ball State 0
Box Score
MUNCIE, Ind. - It comes to no surprise that the Cardinals historic defense shined in their 2021 season opener as Ball State held the No. 22 Ohio State Buckeyes to only one goal Friday afternoon at the Briner Sports Complex.
Although, the outcome didn't turn out the way the Cardinals had hoped for Ball State fourth-year head coach Stephanie Bernthal was proud of the effort her team gave today and it was tough to come up short considering it was a game of inches she explained.
The Cardinals took a lot of positives from today's defensive battle against a top-25 team. Bernthal said the team has really been focusing on ball control so far this fall and felt her team has responded well by controlling the field today over Ohio State especially in midfield action.
Indiana 3, Central Michigan 2
Box Score
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. —The CMU field hockey team dropped their 2021 season opener 3-2 to Indiana in a non-conference matchup on Friday at Cristy Freese Field.
The Hoosiers outshot Central Michigan, 18-8, including a 12-2 edge in shots on goal.
"We dominated the second quarter, and we were there in the third," CMU coach Catherine Ostoich said. "We just were not able to finish a couple opportunities that would have given us a lead."
Freshmen Kaitlyn Bowker and sophomore Rachel Ruttenberg scored for CMU. Kate Biglin assisted on both goals.
CMU sophomore goalkeeper Katie Maxim shined with 10 saves in 56 minutes. She was pulled with four minutes remaining to give the Chippewas an extra attacker.
Indiana scored just 36 seconds into the game. The Chippewas never led, but twice tied the game, the second early in the second half. Indiana broke the tie with a goal less than two minutes later.
"We did not come out ready to play," Ostoich said. "They scored that first goal right away, but I think we did a great job of not letting them get another immediately. That is an improvement from last season.
"Although I am a bit frustrated with the loss today, there were a lot of really great things that came from it. I felt like we were chasing for the whole game, but we fought back, dominated the second quarter, and had a lot of really good things to show."
The Chippewas will entertain Davidson on Sunday, Aug. 29 (1 p.m.) to wrap up their home opening weekend.
Louisville 6, Ohio 0
Box Score
LOUISVILLE, KY-- The Ohio field hockey team (0-1) opened its 2021 regular season Friday afternoon, falling 6-0 to No. 5 Louisville (1-0) at Trager Stadium.
After a weather delay that postponed the start of the game for two hours, the Cardinals quickly found their stride with two goals in the first quarter from Mattie Tabor and Mia Duchars.
The Bobcats trailed 5-0 at half, but rallied the defense in the second half, holding the Louisville attack to one goal. Sophomore goalkeeper, and Louisville native, Macy Lotze (Louisville, Ky.) entered the goal in the second half and made five saves on 10 shots with one goal.
Six Bobcats each fired one shot, with four on goal. Freshman Bodhi Littlefield (Oakland, Maine) made her college-debut and attempted one shot on goal. Jillian Shive (Lebanon, Ohio), Katelyn Whittle (Glenwood, Md.) and Tasmin Williams (Surrey, United Kingdom) all also shot one on goal.
Ohio will take the field again at Trager Stadium to take on New Hampshire on Saturday (August 28) at 3 p.m.
Michigan State 3, Kent State 1
Box Score?
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State field hockey team (0-1, 0-0 MAC) dropped its season opener with a 3-1 loss to Michigan State at Murphy-Mellis Field.
The Spartans struck first early in the second quarter to take a 1-0 lead. Kent State evened things up less than two minutes later with a goal from Clara Rodriguez Seto, but Michigan State would strike again late in the second quarter to take a 2-1 lead into halftime. The Spartans would score their third and final goal two minutes and 51 seconds into the third quarter to secure their 3-1 victory.
Michigan State led in total shots (17-14) and shots on goal (11-2), while the two teams were dead even in penalty corners (8-8). Fifth year goalkeeper Azure Fernsler registered six saves for Kent State.
Kent State faces off again on Sunday, Aug. 29 against Saint Louis at 12 p.m.
