Sept. 9, 2005

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ATHENS - A second-half lead and a furious late-game rally weren't enough for the Ohio field hockey team Friday, as Maine held off the Bobcats, 3-2, at Peggy Pruitt Field.

Rachelle Coetzee (Bloemfontein, South Africa) scored her first-career goal and Torrie Albini (Escondido, Calif.) cut Ohio's (1-3) deficit to one, but Maine (4-2) goaltender Rebecca Giroux saved 10 shots and secured the win for the Black Bears.

"Overall, I'm pretty happy with our performance and especially the way we fought back," said Ohio Head Coach Neil Macmillan. "I'm a little disappointed that we weren't able to play consistently throughout the entire game."

After a scoreless first half for both teams--one in which Ohio outshot Maine 8-0--Coetzee put the Bobcats on top 1-0, scoring an unassisted tally at the 42:51 mark.

The Black Bears tied the score quickly and then went ahead in just more than 10 minutes. Joanna Fernandes pushed Maine's first goal through on a penalty shot at the 44:17 mark, then Kim MacDonald and Nicole Emery each scored to put the visiting squad on top, 3-1.

Ohio was able to fight back, though. Albini notched her second goal of the season at 57:23, capitalizing off a rebound late in the second frame.

"I'm very happy with our fight," Macmillan said. "I was pleased that we were able to score that second goal and really put the pressure on them."

The Bobcats could not manage another score in the final 12 minutes, though, and Maine escaped with a one-goal victory.

Ohio goaltender Jennifer Cote (Raynham, Mass.) made four stops between the pipes.

Ohio outshot Maine 17-7 for the game and put five more shots on goal (12-7).

The Bobcats will return to action Sunday. Ohio will meet Albany in a 1 p.m. affair at Peggy Pruitt Field.