MADISON, Wisc. – Liz Schepers scored 1:02 into overtime when she cleaned up a rebound in the front of the goal and poked a shot by Kennedy Blair to lift No. 4 Ohio State to a 2-1 overtime win over No. 1 Wisconsin at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisc. The Buckeyes improve to 5-3-0 on the season and knock off the nation’s top-ranked team for the second time.
Schepers’ goal came after a Madison Bizal shot was saved by Blair, who couldn’t control the rebound and the puck became loose in front of the goal. It was Schepers second goal of the season and the 38th of her career. Bizal had a team-high two assists on the day.
The game winner in OT!@OhioStateWHKY puts away Wisconsin in 3v3. pic.twitter.com/dNLsYTyzUx
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) January 9, 2021
“Yesterday after all the quality threatening opportunities that we had and to lose by one late, it felt like a bullet to the heart,” said head coach Nadine Muzerall. “I knew today we’d come out with a chip on our shoulder. Because of our overall fitness, the quick turnaround would work in our favor. It was a great demonstration of our overall fitness and attitude. We’re that blue-collar team that’s going to keep grinding.”
Ohio State is now 7-6-3 against Wisconsin in the last 16 meetings between the teams. The Buckeyes and Badgers split four games this season.
First Period
Just as they did in yesterday’s 2-1 setback, the Buckeyes created several good scoring opportunities in the first period. They outshot Wisconsin 14-7 and even converted what appeared to be a goal on a power play to take a 1-0 lead late in the period. The officials, however, called a crease violation, thus waiving off the goal.
The Buckeyes’ top shot producers in the first were Liz Schepers (three), Gabby Rosenthal (four) and Lisa Bruno (two).
Second Period
The scoreless tie ended 11:35 into the second period when Riley Brengman scored Ohio State’s first power play goal of the season, sending a shot past UW’s Kennedy Blair. It was her second goal of the year and her third point. Tatum Skaggs and Gabby Rosenthal had assists on the play.
Ohio State once again outshot Wisconsin for the period, generating 11 chances to the Badgers’ 10. Andrea Braendli made four saves after the Brengman goal to preserve Ohio State’s 1-0 lead after two periods.
Third Period
The score remained 1-0 in Ohio State’s favor deep into the third period thanks to successfully killing off three Wisconsin power plays. The Badgers, however, scored the equalizer with less than five minutes remaining in regulation of a Daryl Watts tally.
With time winding down before OT, the Buckeyes had their best chance to score when they had a 2-on-1 but couldn’t connect on a pass. Braendli made six saves in the quarter.
Statistically Speaking
Shots: Ohio State 39, Wisconsin 24
Saves: Wisconsin (Blair) 37, Ohio State (Braendli) 23
Power Plays: Ohio State 1-2, Wisconsin 0-3
Scoring (G-A-P): Brengman 1-0-0, Liz Schepers 1-0-0, Tatum Skaggs 0-1-1, Madison Bizal 0-2-2
