Ohio State senior back Whitney Harris (11) runs down the field during a game against Louisville on Sept. 15. Ohio State lost 2-1. Credit: Rachel Jaycox | For The Lantern
Ohio State field hockey lost its third straight game Friday, falling 1-0 at home against Rutgers.
The one-goal loss for No. 21 Ohio State (6-7, 1-4 Big Ten) was its fifth of the season by such a margin. Ohio State led No. 18 Rutgers (7-6, 2-3) in shots and shots on goal, but was unable to convert them into goals.
It was the Buckeyes’ first loss this year when they have lead their opponent in those categories.
“I think Rutgers did a good job of pressuring our shots,” senior back Whitney Harris said. “While they were letting us get the shots off, we were rushed. So we didn’t have time to exactly place the ball where we wanted it. They also have a very, very skilled goalie. She’s very agile and can move around the cage very quickly.”
Rutgers junior goalie Gianna Glatz, who has the Big Ten’s No. 3 save percentage at .743, and recorded her third shutout of the season after five saves. It was the 16th of her career.
The game’s only goal came off a Scarlet Knights’ penalty corner. Rutgers set the ball in, but Ohio State junior forward Nikki Trzaska blocked the shot. Two Buckeye defenders stepped up to pressure Rutgers freshman back Annie Walsh, who secured the rebound, split the defenders and found junior midfielder Katie Larmour for a score.
Ohio State’s closest chance at scoring came at the end of the third quarter when Ohio State struck the goal post on a penalty corner.
With just over five minutes remaining, Ohio State pulled its goalkeeper, sophomore Aaliyah Hernandez. With 1:30 left in the game, Glatz dove forward to block a pass, leaving the goal open with the ball in the air. However, Ohio State wasn’t able to control the ball in the air for a chance at a goal.
“We knew going in to it, kind of similar to Stanford, [Rutgers] is dangerous on their corners, and they have a good goalkeeper,” Ohio State head coach Jarred Martin said.
Ohio State lost two key players to injury Friday. Freshman midfielder Mackenzie Allessie, who leads the Buckeyes in goals, left the game with ten minutes remaining after an apparent lower leg injury and didn’t return.
Senior midfielder and captain Esther Cloten Alsina left the game with one minute left after she sustained what appeared to be a head injury. There is no word on either player’s availability for Ohio State’s next game.
The Buckeyes play their next game on Sunday at noon against No. 2 Maryland. It will be the last home game for Ohio State this season, and graduating seniors will be honored after the game. Maryland will be the highest ranked opponent that the Buckeyes have faced so far this season.
“I can’t say I’ve been looking forward to [Senior Day] because I don’t want to be done with this. I really just want to keep playing hockey,” Harris said. “[Maryland] is a really good team, I mean, No. 2 in the country. So clearly, they know what they’re doing out there. It’s going to be a very strong defensive game, and that’s how we’re going to win this game on Sunday.
