Sept. 1, 2017
RELATED INFO: Follow the Buckeyes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram | 2017 Schedule | HTML Box Score | PDF Box Score | Season Statistics | Highlights | Coach Walker-Hock Postgame
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State women’s soccer team remained unbeaten with a 2-0 win over Western Michigan Friday evening at Bert L. & Iris S. Wolstein Field at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. With the win, the Buckeyes improve to 3-0-1 on the year while the Broncos drop to 2-2-0.
“We created a lot of good opportunities in the first half but we just needed to clean everything up and be a little more crisp,” Lori Walker-Hock, Ohio State head coach, said. “We came out and were able to do that in the second half. I’m glad to get the result and move on to Sunday against a very good USF team.”
EDWARDS WITH BUCKEYES’ BEST CHANCE OF FIRST 45
In a first half in which the Buckeyes dominated possession, Sammy Edwards had Ohio State’s best opportunity in the 12th minute. Nikki Walts possessed in the midfield and played a long ball to Edwards, who headed it toward goal from 10 yards but Western Michigan goalkeeper Stephanie Heber lunged to her left to make the diving save.
In the 29th minute, Eleanor Gabriel broke free down the left wing and hit a left-footed blast from 15 yards that Heber was unable to hold on to but Arden Holden’s shot from 12 yards off the rebound sailed high.
KERR KEEPS BRONCOS OFF THE BOARD
In the 60th minute, Ohio State goalkeeper Devon Kerr made the stop on Tiffany Buckler’s blast from distance and was able to hold on to Alex Ruffer’s rebound attempt to keep it a tie game 15 minutes into the second half.
KAMMERDEINER GIVES THE BUCKEYES THE LEAD
The Buckeyes continued to press forward in the second half but were unable to connect in the final third until Meghan Kammerdeiner put Ohio State ahead 1-0 in the 70th minute. Walts played a cross in from the left wing and Kammerdeiner was able to possess at the center of the box and finish past Heber for her second goal of the season.
BIRZON ADDS INSURANCE TALLY
Six minutes later, Izzy Rodriguez lofted a cross from the left wing to Marissa Birzon, who finished off the left post from 10 yards to make it a 2-0 contest. The goal was the first in the career of the East Amherst, N.Y., native.
LOWE WITH A LATE CHANCE
With less than four minutes remaining, Birzon threaded a through ball down the middle to Maddy Lowe, who tried to flick a shot past Heber but the Western Michigan keeper came out to make the save.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Shots: Ohio State 19, Western Michigan 7
Saves: Western Michigan 7, Ohio State 4
Shots on Goal: Ohio State 9, Western Michigan 4
Corner Kicks: Ohio State 4, Western Michigan 3
BUCKEYE BITS
– Kerr earned her fifth-career shutout and third in a row. The junior made four saves.
– The Buckeyes have allowed just seven shots on frame over the last three contests.
– Birzon’s goal was the first of her career.
UP NEXT
The Buckeyes host USF at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Match: Western Michigan at Ohio State
Date: Sept. 1, 2017
Venue: Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium – Columbus, Ohio
Kickoff: 5 p.m.
Attendance: 353
Weather: Cloudy and 62 degrees
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
| WMU | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| OSU | 0 | 2 | 2 |
