Oct. 26, 2012
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – On a record-setting night for senior Tiffany Cameron, the No. 25 Ohio State women’s soccer team defeated Indiana, 5-0, Friday at Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. Cameron broke the Ohio State career goals record, previously held by Lisa Collison and Lara Dickenmann, in the 38th minute with her 36th career tally before adding another in the 55th minute.
“I was nervous at the start with it being my last regular season game but I was able to get the assist and that calmed me down a little,” Cameron said. “It’s a tremendous honor to break the record but I’m even happier for how we’re playing as a team, what we have already accomplished and what we can achieve his we keep playing this way.”
With the win, the Buckeyes conclude the regular season with a 13-4-1 record, 8-2-1 in the Big Ten, while the Hoosiers fall to 9-9-1, 4-7-0 in conference play. The win, which was the Buckeyes’ largest margin of victory since a 6-0 win over the Hoosiers in 2009, puts Ohio State in position to have either the No. 2 or No. 3 seed in next week’s Big Ten tournament depending on the outcome of the Illinois/Michigan game Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor.
“I like the quality of the soccer that we’re playing. Our rhythm, team defending and energy in our attack has been excellent,” head coach Lori Walker said. “A big part of our momentum is the leadership from our five seniors and the willingness of everybody else to follow them. They’re leading from their hearts by holding themselves and others to high standards and it shows in our play.”
The Buckeyes came out of the gate strong, with Cameron tallying a pair of shots in the second minute off a long ball from Ellyn Gruber. One was saved by Indiana goalkeeper Sarah Stone and the other was blocked by a Hoosier defender. On the ensuing corner, Aly Walker tallied her third goal of the season to give Ohio State the 1-0 lead, crashing in and heading home a Megan Fuller corner from six yards out.
Less than two minutes later, Lauren Granberg finished from just outside the six-yard box after Cameron found her open at the center of the box for a 2-0 Ohio State advantage.
The Buckeyes almost extended the lead to 3-0 in the 14th minute but Michela Paradiso’s strike from 10 yards out deflected off the left post and Granberg was called offside as she finished the rebound into an empty net.
Things stayed quiet until the 38th minute when Samantha Lewis found Cameron with a through ball on the near right wing and the senior finished far post from eight yards for the 3-0 lead. Less than a minute later, Cameron found Marisa Wolf with a through ball and the freshman finished near post to give the Buckeyes a 4-0 advantage heading into the break.
For the half, Ohio State held a 10-3 advantage in shots, including 5-2 on goal.
Ohio State added to its lead in the 55th minute when Cameron scored her second goal of the night from 12 yards out off assists from Granberg and Paradiso to push the advantage to 5-0.
Neither team was able to muster much offensively over the final 35 minutes as the Buckeyes came away with their sixth-consecutive victory.
Cameron led the Buckeyes with four shots while goalkeepers Jillian McVicker and Rachel Middleman each tallied a pair of saves. With six points on the evening, Cameron passed Dickenmann for first on the Buckeyes’ single-season points list with 41. The senior also passed Dickenmann for second on the Ohio State career points list with 90, five short of Lisa Grubb’s 95. Ohio State moved to 29-1-1 all-time when Cameron has scored a goal.
“I’m very proud of what Tiffany has accomplished,” Walker added. “The professional approach she has to her game right now is enjoyable to be a part of.”
The Buckeyes return to Bloomington for the Big Ten tournament beginning Wednesday.
