RMU women’s lacrosse falls to Ohio State in season opener
Colleen Tifft is attacked by Jamie Level of Ohio State in RMU’s 17-5 loss in Columbus. Photo credit: Tyler Gallo
February 12, 2022
COLUMBUS, OHIO– RMU women’s lacrosse (0-1) was tasked with taking on Ohio State (1-0) to open up their season.
The result did not go their way as they start their season off on the losing end of things. The Buckeyes led from wire to wire in the contest, knocking off the Colonials 17-5.
The Buckeyes were ready from the jump because not long after opening faceoff, they ran to an early 4-0 lead.
Jordan Anderson answered with RMU’s first goal of the season, but the goal would not slow the Buckeyes down, however, as they added another four before the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Ohio State kept their foot on the pedal and added another spread of four goals. The Colonials had their chances around the 11-minute mark, picking up back-to-back free shots, but missed the net on both.
Head coach Katrina Silva was not disappointed in the lack of effort on the shots.
“It’s a special skill to be able to pick up the ball and put it to a pipe, and that’s a special skill I know we will have to keep working on,” she said. “There was a time when Jenna [Irwin] picked up the rebound and put it right into the goalie’s stick. She’s a freshman, she will learn. You have to start with baby steps.”
The Colonials eventually made one free shot to send it to half 12-3.
In the second half, the Colonials found some rhythm as they slowed the bleeding. Coach Silva was happy with their second half.
“If you erase the first two quarters, it’s only 5-2 at the half,” Silva said. “We changed and we’re growing, we’re really young and we know we have to improve and we did.”
Colonials’ goalkeeper Jamie Keller struggled in the first quarter giving up 7 goals on 7 shots, but turned things around in the second half and made some important saves. Coach Silva was proud of how Keller rebounded.
“I thought Jamie Keller came alive in the second half. She was seeing the ball better and making some big saves.”
Both teams found the back of the net in the latter portion of the game and played the rest of the game without a hitch, falling 17-5. This makes RMU 0-5 all-time against Ohio State.
The Colonials will look to bounce back next week as they face Canisius in their home opener at noon on Wednesday.
