The Ohio State field hockey team made an early exit from the Big Ten Tournament after being upset by Penn State Thursday in East Lansing, Mich.
The Buckeyes had high aspirations, entering the tournament as the No. 2 seed after finishing 4-2 in the Big Ten. But the Buckeyes lost to the No. 7 seed Penn State, 2-1, in the first round of the conference tournament.
Freshman forward Berta Queralt, who was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, scored the Buckeyes’ lone goal at the 49:01 mark. The goal cut the Nittany Lions’ 2-0 lead in half, but the Buckeyes failed to score again, coming up empty on five penalty corners.
Penn State also edged out the Buckeyes during the regular season, winning 2-1 in overtime Oct. 2.
Penn State’s two wins over the Buckeyes serve as the team’s only two wins in conference play this season.
Out of contention for a Big Ten title, the Buckeyes now hope to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, which starts Nov. 14.
The selection show for the tournament is at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
