Maxwell’s Header Lifts Buckeyes to 1-0 Overtime Win at Northwestern – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
EVANSTON, Ill. – Junior forward Paige Maxwell headed in the game-winner in the 99th minute as Ohio State improved to 4-0 in Big Ten play with a 1-0 overtime victory at Northwestern Sunday afternoon.
The goal came shortly after a corner kick by Courtney Jenkins as Cassie Dickerson recorded her first assist of the season on the point blank header by Maxwell. Jenkins played a near-post corner the was flicked on and Dickerson redirected the ball back to find Maxwell in front of the goal.
It is the fourth-consecutive game that the Medina, Ohio, native has notched the game-winner for the Buckeyes and it marked her team-leading seventh goal of the season and third of the weekend after a pair of goals at Iowa Friday evening. Maxwell, with six goals in her last five matches, is tied for the Big Ten lead with four game-winners this season.
“Ugly is beautiful,” head coach Lori Walker said. “The ball was very lively on the turf all day and we weren’t able to play our typical style. Toward the end of regulation and into overtime, we just had to play balls into the box and Paige was able to capitalize once again.”
Maxwell almost gave the Buckeyes the early lead in the 13th minute but her shot was saved off the line by Northwestern defender. Genna Brand also had a great opportunity off the bench in the 44th minute but Northwestern goalkeeper Carolyn Edwards came up with the save to keep the game scoreless heading into the break.
In an even first half, each team had five shots with the Buckeyes putting four of those on goal compared to two for Northwestern. The Buckeyes also held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks in the first 45 minutes.
In the second stanza, Ohio State took three shots compared to just one for the Wildcats and both teams put a shot on frame.
The Buckeyes took a pair of shots early in the overtime before Maxwell scored the game-winner.
“The fact that we found a way to win when things weren’t going our way is a great indicator as to what we are capable of,” Walker added. “To win in overtime on the road in the second of our first two-game Big Ten road trip is huge.”
For the game, Ohio State took 10 shots to seven for Northwestern including six on goal to just three for the Wildcats. The Buckeyes also had an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks. The game marked the 12th time this season the Buckeyes held their opponent to five shots on goal or fewer and ninth time the opponent has taken three or fewer shots on frame.
The Buckeyes, who defeated Northwestern 1-0 on a Lauren Granberg goal with 49 seconds remaining in regulation a year ago, have started Big Ten play 4-0 for the first time in program history.
The Buckeyes (10-2-1, 4-0-0 Big Ten) return home Friday to take on Wisconsin before hosting Minnesota Sunday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
