Dudukovich Scores Twice in 4-2 Setback to Minnesota

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State freshman Kailyn Dudukovich seems to be settling in to the collegiate game as she followed up her game-winner on Sunday with two more goals on Thursday vs. Minnesota. But the Golden Gophers answered with four goals over the final 65 minutes and came away with a 4-2 victory.

Ohio State falls to 6-4-0 overall and 1-1-0 in Big Ten play while the Gophers are now 5-1-3 on the year and 1-1-0 in conference play.

Minnesota had allowed just two goals all season and the Buckeyes matched that total in the first 22 minutes. But the tide turned quickly and the Buckeyes weren’t able to answer Minnesota’s attack the rest of the night.

How it Happened

The first half featured end to end action as the teams traded blows in their respective attacking ends. The Buckeyes had the upper hand early as freshman Kailyn Dudukovich scored in the 17^th and 22^nd minutes to give Ohio State a 2-0 lead. The first goal came on a really nice setup from Kayla Fischer and Emaly Vatne. The second came off a corner kick by Izzy Rodriguez. Her cross missed everyone and found Dudukovich on the back post.

Minnesota then flipped the field and notched its pair of goals in the 25^th and 44^th minutes. Izzy Brown slipped past the OSU back line and scored a point-blank goal. Sadie Harper then finished a nice pass from Maddie Baker for the second goal.

The Gophers scored a third unanswered goal as Sophia Brown found herself unmarked on the back post off a free kick and she buried the shot to give Minnesota a 3-2 lead in the 64^th minute. Minnesota added another goal in the 70^th minute to push the lead to 4-2 and held the advantage the rest of the way.

Highlights

Buckeyes GOAL!!

Kailyn Dudukovich scores to give the Buckeyes a 1-0 lead. Beautiful setup by Fischer and Vatne. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/AnFS2HlkjB

— Ohio State WSOC (@OhioStateWSOC) September 23, 2021

Buckeyes GOAL, AGAIN!!

Kailyn Dudukovich with her second goal of the night! Buckeyes lead 2-0 in the 22nd min. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/dFJAPEeNvC

— Ohio State WSOC (@OhioStateWSOC) September 23, 2021

Notes

• Dudukovich scored her fourth and fifth goals of the season. She entered the night with the second-most goals by a Big Ten freshman.
• The shots were even at 12-12. This marked the first time since the opening match of the season that the Buckeyes failed to outshot their opponent.
• The Buckeyes have not played in an overtime match through the first 10 matches. This is the longest into a season that the Buckeyes have gone without an overtime affair since playing the first 18 matches of the 2001 season without going into extra time.

Up Next

The Buckeyes will hit the road this weekend for a big test at No. 12 Penn State on Sunday. First touch is set for 3 p.m. from State College.