Martin Grabs Career-High 12 Saves in 'Cats First-Round Loss

'Cats lose in sudden victory

Nov. 10, 2007

Box Score

Ann Arbor, Mich. - MAC Player of the Year Jessie Martin made a career-high 12 saves in Ohio's overtime loss, 1-0, to Michigan in the first round of the 2007 NCAA Field Hockey Tournament Saturday afternoon.

Despite being out-shot (17-9) and out-cornered (6-3) in the game, the `Cats held the Wolverines to just one goal in three periods of action. Martin (Louisville, Ky.) stopped 12 of Michigan's 13 shots on goal, including four each in the first half, the second half and the overtime period.

"Jessie played like she had a lot more than 12 saves," said Head Coach Neil Macmillan. "When she comes to the top to defend one-on-one, she is really doing more than just saving the ball. She came up huge for us today in numerous situations."

"I think as a team our defense was phenomenal," said Martin. "Everyone came out to play and we played hard. It was a great battle. It is just disappointing that we came out on the wrong side of it."

The `Cats started their defensive pressure early on, including Martin stopping two of the Wolverines' penalty corner opportunities in the first 13 minutes of play.

After a scoreless first half, the second half proved to be the same. Michigan out-shot Ohio 7-1, but Martin posted four saves, including back-to-back saves after a penalty corner opportunity for the Wolverines. Both teams were scoreless at the end of regulation, forcing the game into overtime.

"We were a little lucky because we were hanging on really tight in the back," said Macmillan. "They had opportunities that they didn't take, but we did a good job of limiting those opportunities later on in the game. Everyone played extremely well, our effort today was fantastic."

Lucia Belassi scored the game-winner on a rebound at the 83:10 mark for the Wolverines.

The Bobcats end the season with an 18-5 overall record. Ohio's 18 wins is the most wins for the program in 25 years and is the second most wins in program history. Today's game is Ohio's first tournament appearance since 2001. The Bobcats won both the MAC regular-season and tournament titles to get here, in addition to defeating American University in a play-in game for the bid.

"It was a fantastic season," said Macmillan. "To go through the season and be 18-5 is a great achievement. It is disappointing in the sense that this is a game that we certainly could have won. You watch the teams that have advanced and know that you can hang with them, it is a sad thing for us right now, but that is how the cookie crumbles sometimes. We just have to move on from here."

"I want to thank all the seniors. I think the five of them did a really great job of developing this program. We have got some fantastic places to go as a program and it is because of them. I can't say enough about them."

Senior Torrie Albini (Escondido, Calif.) had three shots in the game. She finishes her career as Ohio's second all-time leading scorer.

Junior Rachelle Coetzee (Bloemfontein, South Africa) also had three shots. Sophomore Marcy Dull (Ephrata, Pa.) made two shots and senior Rita Murphy (Louisville, Ky.) added one shot.

----------------------------Quenjana Adams is the field hockey contact in the Ohio media relations office. She can be reached via email at adamsq@ohio.edu and in the office at 740-593-1299.

Bobcat goalie Jessie Martin

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