Ninety minutes wasn’t enough time to for either team to find the back of the net, but it was Paige Maxwell’s overtime goal in the 96th minute that gave the Ohio State women’s soccer team (8-2-1, 2-0-0) a win over rival Penn State (3-7-1, 1-1-0).
“Any win you pick up at home is fantastic,” coach Lori Walker said. “Penn State gave us quite a few problems and we pushed through. Our soccer was definitely quality enough to result in a win.”
The game-winning goal is Maxwell’s second in as many games, after scoring the difference-maker in last week’s win over Michigan. This week’s goal came after Maxwell intercepted an errant pass from Penn State goalkeeper Krissy Tribbett and then dribbled in and floated a kick over the diving goalie.
“My first thought right after the goalie passed it to me was ‘Holy moly, I’m all by myself,” Maxwell said. “It’s my job to just score like a forward is supposed to do.”
Maxwell appeared to have an opportunity to score in regulation, but her shot attempt sailed over the goal and out of bounds.
“I kind of lost my concentration,” Maxwell said. “I did a whoopsie-doo right over the goalie and right over the goal, too.”
Walker said that she was happy to see Maxwell make amends for her previous missed opportunity.
“She felt a bit of responsibility ‘cause there was one in the first half that she felt she should have buried,” Walker said. “Good for her to get that back and kind of get the monkey off her back.”
As the Buckeyes’ offense struggled to put the ball in the net throughout regulation, it was their tenacious defense that helped carry the scoreless game into overtime, as they limited the Nittany Lions to just two shots on goal, with goalkeeper Rachel Middleman making both saves.
“Our defense is pretty much unstoppable and they’re just working so hard,” Maxwell said. “This is our year, we really just want to shine, and we’re putting everything we can toward it.”
The Buckeyes will now look forward to a two-game road trip this weekend for a pair of Big Ten games against Iowa and Northwestern, before returning home for a three-game home stand.
