OSU Freshman goalie Jill Rizzo saves a shot against Vermont Credit: Walt Middleton – Courtesy of OSU Athletics
The Ohio State women’s lacrosse team took down Robert Morris 7-3 with a strong second-half rally Wednesday afternoon.
The Buckeyes (5-5, 1-1 Big Ten) went on a 3-0 run in the first 10 minutes of the second half to extend to a four-goal lead that proved too big for the Colonials (4-6) to overcome.
A series of turnovers and fouls led to a slow start for both teams. Robert Morris junior defender Shannon Lynch put the first goal on the scoreboard following a foul on Ohio State 12 minutes into the first half.
Buckeyes junior attack McKayla Conti tied the score at one with fewer than 15 minutes remaining in the game, and junior midfielder Baley Parrott followed up with a free-position goal to give Ohio State the lead before just before the end of the first half.
“We weren’t moving the ball that well in the first half,” head coach Alexis Venechanos said. “I thought our decision making was a little poor so we changed our set up a little bit [and] attacked from up top.”
After a near 15-minute scoring drought in the second half after Ohio State’s early second-half run of three straight goals, the Colonials inched closer with a goal by junior attack Kerri Sayrafe. Robert Morris’ final push to close the gap was not enough, and a goal by Parrot with fewer than three minutes remaining secured the game for the Buckeyes.
“I’m really proud of our team. We stepped up,” Venechanos said. “We didn’t like our start of the game, but I thought our defense definitely held the fort tight for us.”
Parrot led the team with three goals and now leads the team with 28 goals.
Ohio State sophomore goalie Jillian Rizzo had 13 saves and gave up a season-low three goals.
The Buckeyes will turn their attention back to conference play and look to keep the momentum going when they face No. 6 Penn State at noon Saturday.
