Ohio State Wins Third Straight, Tops Michigan State 4-2

Friday, April 9

Columbus, Ohio

Ohio State

(3-7)

Michigan State

(1-11)

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Michigan State	0	0	1	1	2
Ohio State	0	2	1	1	4

Ohio State Wins Third Straight, Tops Michigan State 4-2

4/9/2021 5:16:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

Ohio State 4, Michigan State 2: Final Stats

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State field hockey team won its season-high third straight game on Friday with a 4-2 triumph over Michigan State that was punctuated by balanced scoring and another strong defensive effort. The Buckeyes are 3-7 on the season while Michigan State is now 1-11.

The Buckeyes' four goals came from four different players: Emma Goldean, Mackenzie Allessie, Katie Pyle and Nikki Trzaska. Sarah Charley added a team-high two assists. On the other end of the field, Ohio State's defense limited MSU to just eight total shots – and only two in the first half while the Buckeyes built a 2-0 halftime lead.

"I was really happy with how we started the game," said head coach Jarred Martin. "We controlled the game, moved the ball well and had some great scoring opportunities leading to the halftime score."

After a scoreless first quarter in which Ohio State outshot Michigan State 15-0, the Buckeyes got back-to-back goals four minutes apart with less than eight minutes remaining before halftime. Goldean scored the first, off a pass from Louise Fobe, and Allessie added the second when she hit in a rebound off the pads of MSU goalie Jade Arundell.

Seven and a half minutes into the third quarter, Pyle increased Ohio State's lead to 3-0 when she took a feed from Sarah Charley. The Spartans would respond, however, on an Ashley Harlock goal in the 43rd minute to end a scoreless streak of just over 180 minutes by the Ohio State defense over the last three games.

"The second half was a different story as we let up and got away from what was successful, and more importantly some fundamental OSU field hockey principles," said Martin. "Michigan State was able to generate their attack from there and keep the game close so credit to them for taking advantage."

In the fourth quarter, Ohio State and Michigan State traded goals. Nikki Trzaska took a perfect cross from Charley from in close to make the score 4-1 early in the quarter and MSU would close out the scoring in the 56th minute on Cara Bonshak's goal.

In addition to holding a 28-6 edge in shots, the Buckeyes also had a 10-2 advantage in penalty corners. Freshman goalie Abby Danson improved to 3-4 on the season while making two saves. Her counterpart, Jade Arundell, stopped nine shots.

"This was an important game for Big Ten standings and really liked seeing four goals from four different people," said Martin. "We will get back at it tomorrow to prepare for a more complete performance on Sunday. We are finding different ways to win and we are building some good momentum leading into the final part of the regular season. Keep focused, keep growing, keep to our objectives."

The Buckeyes and Spartans finish out their two-game weekend series on Sunday with a noon game at Buckeye Varsity Field.