Aug 28, 2013
Columbus, Ohio
Bert L. & Iris Wolstein Field at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium
Ohio State 2 (3-0-0); Pittsburgh 0 (1-1-0)
Attendance: 386
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State women’s soccer team topped Pittsburgh, 2-0, Wednesday evening at Bert L. & Iris S. Wolstein Field at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.With the win, Ohio State improves to 3-0 on the season and sets a program record with a 14-match unbeaten streak while Pittsburgh drops to 1-1.
“I really feel like we’re getting better every game,” Ohio State head coach Lori Walker said. “Pittsburgh is a tough opponent. They defended very well and were very organized behind the ball but we were fortunate enough to be able to find the back of the net in the run of play.”
The Buckeyes controlled possession for the majority of the first half with their first quality chance coming in the 27th minute when Ashley Gruenbaum found Kristen Niederhaus far post with a service from 30 yards out on the left wing but Pittsburgh goalkeeper Nicole D’Agostino came up with the diving save.
Ohio State was able to get on the board in the 36th minute when Megan Fuller found Alexis Degler far post with a corner and the freshman was able to head it in from six yards for her first-career goal and the 1-0 Buckeye lead.
The Buckeyes took the lead into the half after outshooting the Panthers 8-1, including 3-0 on goal, and holding a 9-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Ohio State had an early chance in the second half when Morgan Wolcott forced a diving save by D’Agostino off a free kick by Fuller in the 52nd minute and the Buckeyes were able to double their lead in the 60th minute on the first goal in a Buckeye uniform by Kayla Varner. The BYU transfer received the ball on the far right wing and beat D’Agostino near post with a strike from a difficult angle just outside the box for the 2-0 lead.
Varner almost added another in the 80th minute but her left-footed shot from just outside the top of the box narrowly missed wide right.
For the game, Ohio State outshot Pittsburgh 12-5, including 5-1 on goal, and tallied a season-high 14 corner kicks to just two for the Panthers. Goalkeepers Rachel Middleman and Jillian McVicker each played a half as the Buckeyes notched their first clean sheet of the season.
Ohio State hosts Arizona at 6 p.m. Sunday.
