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.
Spring Break
