The No. 11 Ohio State men's soccer team improved to 5-1 on the season after defeating No. 17 UCLA 2-1 in the Penn State/Nike Classic championship match Sunday in State College, Pa.
Ohio State took an early two-goal lead in the second half after a scoreless first half, with senior forward Kevin Nugent and sophomore midfielder Xavier Balc notching the goals.
"It was a great win over a very talented and nationally ranked opponent," Ohio State head coach John Bluem said in a statement. "Our guys played very well, are very happy, and we couldn't be more pleased with our two wins here this weekend."
Nugent scored on an assist from sophomore forward Eric Edwards in the 53rd minute to give the Buckeyes the lead. Balc followed six minutes later on an assist from sophomore midfielder Ryan Kustos to put OSU up 2-0. UCLA scored its only goal with five and a half minutes left in the game. OSU senior goalkeeper Ray Burse Jr. recorded four saves to help earn the team's fifth win of the season.
Nugent, Balc and junior defender Dustin Kirby were named to the all-tournament team. Sophomore defender Eric Brunner received defensive MVP honors and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Monday and was named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week.
OSU shut out Cal State-Fullerton 1-0 in the first game of the Penn State/Nike Classic to advance to the championship match. Senior defender Reid Traeger recorded his first career goal in the overtime win. The team has recorded three shutouts in its first six games, including one against Marquette on Sept. 2 and another against Furman to win the Furman Invitational on Sept. 11. Brunner had the game-winning goal in overtime against the Paladins.
The Buckeyes' only loss this season was to then-No. 8 New Mexico in overtime in the title game of the Ohio State Classic on Sept. 4.
This year the Buckeyes return 17 letterwinners, including eight starters from last year's squad, which finished No. 16 in the nation and tied for the Big Ten regular season championship. With the departure of 2004 Big Ten Player of the Year Justin Cook, Bluem said he hopes to have some of his other players step up this season.
"We're hoping that Xavier Balc and Kevin Nugent will fill the gap," Bluem said. "We have a good team and we think we'll make up the difference."
Nugent said he realizes that Cook left big shoes to fill when he graduated.
"I've tried to take on more of the scoring responsibility," Nugent said. "So far it's working out well."
Nugent has scored two goals this season, and Balc leads the team with four goals, including a hat trick against Coastal Carolina on Sept. 9.
Burse received Big Ten Player of the Week honors after earning defensive MVP honors at the Furman Invitational Sept. 9-11, allowing only one goal in the two games against Furman and Coastal Carolina. He has allowed just three goals in the first six games.
As co-captain, Burse said he hopes to bring leadership to the team by providing a good example for his teammates.
"If I have a big game, then it carries through the team," Burse said.
The Buckeyes are continuing their best start since 2001 and Nugent said the team hopes this will be the year they capture the Big Ten Tournament title.
"Winning the Big Ten is when it becomes special," Nugent said. "One of our biggest goals is to win the Big Ten Tournament and get that ring."
OSU opens up Big Ten play Oct. 2 at Wisconsin. Indiana could prove to be the team to beat in the Big Ten this season. The 2004 National Champion, Indiana is ranked No. 1 in the nation. The Buckeyes meet the Hoosiers Oct. 23 in Bloomington, Ind.
The Buckeyes travel to Bowling Green Friday and return home to host Kentucky Sunday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
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