Buckeyes Grind Out 2-1 Win at Northwestern

Sunday, October 24

Evanston, Illinois

Ohio State

9-7-2, 4-4-2

Northwestern

7-9-1, 3-6-1

Ohio St.

Northwestern

Buckeyes Grind Out 2-1 Win at Northwestern

10/24/2021 5:03:02 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Box Score | Big Ten Standings | Schedule

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State took care of business on Sunday in knocking-off Northwestern 2-1 on a rainy, bitter day in Illinois. The win likely secures the Buckeyes a spot in the Big Ten Tournament which opens next Sunday.

Ohio State finishes the regular season 9-7-2 overall and 4-4-2 in conference play. Northwestern misses out on the tournament, finishing with a mark of 7-9-1 and 3-6-1 in the Big Ten.

Kayla Fischer and Sydney Jones netted the two Buckeye goals, giving the team a 2-0 lead with under 20 minutes to play. Northwestern created some frantic moments late and pushed home a goal with just 65 seconds to play. But the Buckeyes were able to run out the clock and hold on for the win.

The rainy conditions made mounting any kind of sustained attack difficult. Both teams managed just three shots on net in the game.

How it Happened

After a scoreless opening half, the Buckeyes took the lead in the 56^th minute as Kailyn Dudukovich found Kayla Fischer with a pass around midfield and she took it the rest of the way on a great run. She unleashed a shot from just outside the box and beat the keeper on the far right post. It was her sixth goal of the season.

The second goal came in the 71^st minute as Emaly Vatne was taken down in the box and was awarded a penalty kick. Freshman defender Sydney Jones stepped to the middle of the box and calmly knocked in the kick to give the Buckeyes a 2-0 lead. The goal was extra special for Jones as on top of being her first collegiate goal, she was also celebrating her birthday on Sunday.

Northwestern pushed hard in the final minutes and was able to avoid the shutout as Regan Steigleder finished a nice pass just in front of the goal. That goal came with 65 seconds left and the Wildcats weren’t able to mount any kind of scoring chance late.

Highlights

BUCKEYE GOAL!!

Kayla Fischer finds the back of the net to give the Buckeyes to a 1-0 lead in the 56th min. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/Tk61vy2UpQ

— Ohio State WSOC (@OhioStateWSOC) October 24, 2021

BUCKEYE GOAL!!

Sydney Jones converts a penalty kick in the 71st min to put the Buckeyes up 2-0. A special birthday goal for the freshman!! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/k3zj6IKkoB

— Ohio State WSOC (@OhioStateWSOC) October 24, 2021

Notes

Kayla Fischer scored her sixth goal of the season to tie Kailyn Dudukovich for the team-lead.
Dudukovich assisted on the Fischer goal and now has 17 points on the season
Sydney Jones
The Buckeyes earned their third penalty kick on the season and are now 2-for-3 in converting the kick into a goal.
Fischer received a straight red card in the 73^rd minute and the Buckeyes played the final 17 minutes a man down
With 14 points, the Buckeyes will likely earn the seventh seed in the Big Ten Tournament and will likely travel to face No. 2 seed Purdue next Sunday.

#GoBucks