The Ohio State women’s soccer team seems to have a flair for the dramatic.
For the second time in as many home games, the Buckeyes earned a 1-0 win with a goal in either the last minute of regulation or in overtime. The most recent thriller came Sunday when OSU came away with an overtime victory against Purdue.
The Boilermakers came into the game with a seven-game winning streak against the Buckeyes, and coach Lori Walker understood the importance of breaking that streak.
“Since 2004, Purdue has really manhandled us,” Walker said. “For us to finally steal a win back from Purdue is huge on a day like today.”
The first 20 minutes provided several chances for OSU, including two corner kicks. However, Jenny Bradfisch, the Boilermaker goalkeeper, continually turned the Buckeyes away.
Neither team could muster up much offensively for the remainder of the half, as the teams entered the locker rooms for halftime in a scoreless tie. The second half brought much of the same.
OSU recorded six shots in the half, only one of which was on goal. As Purdue seemed content to sit back and play defense, the Buckeyes again failed to capitalize on a number of chances deep in Purdue’s zone.
“It was a little frustrating,” sophomore defender Colleen Brady said. “We just kept our heads up, and we were dominating so we knew [a goal] was coming. We could feel it.”
At the end of regulation, the score remained tied 0-0, but Walker said her team wasn’t upset about the missed opportunities.
“What we’ve tried to work on this year, and something we’ve struggled with in the past, is we get frustrated when things don’t go our way,” Walker said. “Now we’ve learned to celebrate every opportunity, celebrate little things like earning a corner kick, because that can be the difference in the game.”
The game-winning goal came when Brady headed in a corner kick just over a minute into the overtime period.
“[Junior Lauren Steuer] took the kick from the left side,” Brady said. “We all lined up, and it just came right to my head. I headed it and watched it roll into the back of the net right past the keeper.”
The win moves OSU to 13-2-2 for the season and 6-1-1 in the Big Ten, keeping them at the top of conference standings. With two games to go on the schedule, the Buckeyes are closing in on a conference championship, and Walker said it has everything to do with their effort on the field.
“This team is meeting all of its expectations,” Walker said. “I’m just pleased that we are creating those opportunities, and they are making all the difference.”
