Oct. 26, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The No. 22 Ohio State women’s soccer team fell to Penn State, 2-0, in its regular season finale Wednesday night at Jeffrey Field. With the loss, the Buckeyes conclude the regular season with a 10-6-3 record, 4-4-3 in Big Ten play, and will await their NCAA Tournament fate.
“We attacked this game like a championship,” Lori Walker, Ohio State head coach, said. “There were three moments in the first half where we created dangerous goal-scoring chances. We just didn’t convert. Once Penn State got on the board and we were chasing the game, we changed shape. We applied a lot of pressure but couldn’t break them and lost to a quality Penn State team. Our conference is always such a tight race in the end. Now we wait.”
PRINCE WITH AN EARLY CHANCE
In the 17th minute, Nichelle Prince stole the ball from a Penn State defender and sprinted forward for a one-on-one opportunity with goalkeeper Amanda Dennis but the shot from eight yards on the right side of the box narrowly missed just outside the near post.
AGNEW HITS WOODWORK
In the 34th minute, Lindsay Agnew had a chance of her own when she possessed just outside the box and drilled a left-footed strike past Dennis but it caromed off the crossbar before it was held by the Penn State goalkeeper.
FREIGANG PUTS PENN STATE AHEAD
Just over five minutes into the second half, Laura Freigang gave Penn State the lead on her second goal of the year. A corner kick kicked out to Haleigh Echard, who played a ball into the box, where Freigang was able to get a head on it from eight yards before Ohio State goalkeeper Devon Kerr could get to it.
WILLIAMS DOUBLES NITTANY LION ADVANTAGE
In the 73rd minute, Megan Schafer played cross from the end line on the right wing to an open Charlotte Williams, who finished inside the left post from eight yards in the center of the box to make it a 2-0 contest.
WALTS ALMOST CUTS LEAD IN HALF
With less than five minutes remaining in the match, Nikki Walts gathered at the top right side of the box and fired a low shot headed toward the far post but Dennis ranged to her right to make the diving stop.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Shots: Penn State 13, Ohio State 10
Saves: Ohio State 5, Penn State 1
Shots on Goal: Penn State 7, Ohio State 1
Corner Kicks: Penn State 4, Ohio State 2
BUCKEYE BITS
– Ohio State has now reached the 10-win plateau in seven of the last eight seasons.
UP NEXT
Ohio State will await its NCAA Tournament fate, which will be announced on an NCAA selection show at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 7.
