Ohio State
Michigan State
Bailey’s Overtime Goal Lifts Ohio State Past Michigan State, 2-1
9/17/2023 2:39:00 PM | General, Field Hockey
Buckeyes improve to 2-0 in Big Ten Conference play
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State field hockey team found yet another way to win on Sunday, as the Buckeyes scored early in the first overtime period to come away with a 2-1 victory over Michigan State at Ralph Young Field in East Lansing, Mich. Ohio State is now 8-1 on the season and 2-0 in Big Ten play while Michigan State is 1-5.
The Short Story
Zella Bailey scored the game-winning goal four minutes into the extra session when she gained control of the ball and raced up the sideline and into the circle where she beat MSU goalie Cecily Charles with a shot to the lower left corner of the cage. It was Bailey's third goal of the year and second of the weekend, as she also got on the scoresheet in Friday's 5-1 win over Michigan.
Ohio State scored the game's first goal early in the fourth quarter via Makenna Webster, who stole a pass in the Michigan State zone and dribbled into the circle to create her shot. It was Webster's team-leading 10th goal of the season.
Michigan State would tie the score at 1-1 and force overtime when Lena Kassel made a penalty stroke at the 1:49 mark of the fourth quarter.
Buckeye This and That
- Neither team could find the back of the cage in the first half. Ohio State, however, got the better of play on the stat sheet, outshooting Michigan State 8-2 and generating seven penalty corners in the first 30 minutes. It was just Ohio State's second scoreless half this season.
- Ohio State's offense generated 20 or more shots for the third time in the last five games. Coming into the contest, the Buckeyes had a +92 shot differential on the season.
- The 19 penalty corners that Ohio State generated were a season high. The previous high of 11 was achieved twice: vs. New Hampshire on Sept. 1 and Bucknell on Sept. 3.
- Each of the last three meetings between Ohio State and Michigan State have been decided by one goal. It was also the second consecutive overtime contest: last year, Emma Goldean's overtime goal gave the Buckeyes a 2-1 win in Columbus.
- Webster has scored at least one goal in seven of nine games this season. Her 25 points are the most on the team and second-most in the Big Ten.
- Ohio State is off to its best nine-game start since 2006. That year, the Buckeyes were also 8-1 after nine games and would go on to finish 15-4 overall, win the Big Ten regular season title and earn an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament.
What's Next
Ohio State wraps up a stretch of seven homes games in nine contests next weekend as they welcome No. 3 Northwestern and Ohio to Buckeye Varsity Field. The Buckeyes and Wildcats (6-1) meet on Friday at 3 p.m. On Sunday, Ohio and Ohio State tangle at 1 p.m. Both contests will be streamed live on Big Ten Plus. Admission and parking are both free.
