Gabriel’s Brace Leads Buckeyes over Illini, 2-0
9/20/2018 6:17:49 PM | Women's Soccer
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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Ohio State women’s soccer team topped Illinois, 2-0, behind a pair of goals from Eleanor Gabriel Thursday night at Illinois Soccer Stadium. With the win, the Buckeyes improve to 4-4-0 on the year, 1-1-0 in Big Ten play, while the Illini drop to 6-4-0 overall, 1-2-0 in conference play.
QUOTE FROM THE COACH
“The team battled tonight against a very effective direct style,” Lori Walker-Hock, Ohio State head coach, said. “Our back five and goalkeeping were super solid. Eleanor was dynamic and dangerous on the right flank. Her second goal was a beauty.”
After an impressive performance in Champaign, @OhioStateWSOC head coach Lori Walker-Hock breaks down the Buckeyes 2-0 victory over Illinois! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/qTvIPCgJKI
— BTN Student U (@BTNStudentU) September 21, 2018
MATCH SUMMARY
– Ohio State wasted no time taking the lead as Eleanor Gabriel put the Buckeyes on top less than four minutes into the match. Emaly Vatne found the senior on the right wing before Gabriel dribbled into the box and placed her right-footed shot inside the right post past Illinois goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham from 12 yards.
5' Vatne finds Gabriel on the right wing. The senior dribbles into the box and places it inside the left post from 12 yards for the 1-0 lead!#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/SZID4DvkU2
— Ohio State WSOC (@OhioStateWSOC) September 21, 2018
– Ohio State goalkeeper Devon Kerr made a pair of first-half saves to keep the Buckeyes ahead. In the 13th minute, Kelly Maday tried to convert on the counter from 15 yards on the right side of the box but Kerr made the diving save as she ranged to her right. Then in the 28th minute, Maggie Hillman tried a left-footed shot from 12 yards but Kerr was able to make the lunging save just before it snuck inside the right post.
28' Hillman with a left-footed strike from 12 yards toward the right post but Kerr dives to her left to make another stop.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/oIJodu2vmL
— Ohio State WSOC (@OhioStateWSOC) September 21, 2018
– After a couple-half chances for the Illini to start the second half, Gabriel made it 2-0 in the 74th minute. After throw-in on the right wing, Marissa Birzon laid it off to Gabriel, who lofted her left-footed strike from 20 yards just inside the upper-left corner to give the Buckeyes the 2-0 advantage.
74' Buckeyes make it 2-0 as Gabriel curls a left-footed shot from the top of the box just inside the top-left corner off a feed from Birzon! Her second of the night!#GoBucks #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/gLG0ot3oNp
— Ohio State WSOC (@OhioStateWSOC) September 21, 2018
– With less than five minutes remaining, the Illini’s Hope Breslin got her head on a long ball but the chance from six yards out narrowly missed wide right as the Buckeyes came away with the win.
MATCH NOTES
– Kerr tied her season high, and third-most in her career, with eight saves. She also stopped eight shots at No. 6 North Carolina Aug. 19.
– Kerr’s career high of 10 saves was made in the Buckeyes’ last contest at Illinois, a 1-1 double-overtime draw, in the first-career start for the Barrie, Ontario, native in 2015.
– The clean sheet was Kerr’s third of the year and 14th of her career as she moved into sole possession of fourth on the Buckeyes’ career shutout list.
– The goals were the first two of the year for Gabriel after finding the back of the net seven times a year ago. Gabriel also scored twice in wins over Buffalo and Maryland in 2017.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Shots: Illinois 16, Ohio State 9
Saves: Ohio State 8, Illinois 3
Shots on Goal: Illinois 8, Ohio State 5
Corner Kicks: Illinois 6, Penn State 2
UP NEXT
Ohio State travels to face No. 21 Northwestern at 1 p.m. ET Sunday. The match will be televised live on ESPNU.
Match: Ohio State at Illinois
Date: Sept. 20, 2018
Venue: Illinois Soccer Stadium – Champaign, Ill.
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Attendance: 406
Weather: Clear and 85 degrees
Scoring Summary 1 2 F
ILL 0 0 0
OSU 1 1 2
