Freshman forward Nichelle Prince (7) celebrates a goal with her teammates during a match against Michigan State Oct. 12 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. OSU won, 3-1.
Credit: Daniel Rogers / Asst. sports editor
The Ohio State women’s soccer team (8-3-3, 2-2-2) had failed to score since a 3-1 victory against Indiana Sept. 26, but that scoring hiatus ended Saturday as three different Buckeyes found the back of the net on their way to a 3-1 win against Michigan State.
“It felt good to get some goals after struggling for the past three games,” sophomore forward Michela Paradiso said. “It feels good, just to remember what (winning) feels like.”
Coach Lori Walker said she was also pleased with the effort from her team offensively.
“We’ve got the right people in the right places, and (Saturday) we were able to just have the confidence to find the back of the net,” Walker said.
The offensive control for OSU started early, outshooting the Spartans 9-3 during the first half.
The Buckeyes were able to capitalize on that advantage in the 38th minute, as a header from junior midfielder Ellyn Gruber put OSU on the board first with an assist from Freshman forward Nichelle Prince.
“Nichelle got end-line, and that’s what we’ve been working on all week. She played a great ball in the air and I just knocked it in,” Gruber said.
Prince would get her own goal in the 72nd minute, giving the Buckeyes a two-goal advantage.
The Spartans edged closer with a goal from junior midfielder Nicole Caruso in the 76th minute, assisted by redshirt-sophomore Kirsten Evans.
Paradiso put Michigan State (7-5-2, 1-5) away just minutes later, scoring the games final goal in the 80th minute.
“I was able to spin the (defender), and then I got the ball back and caught the ball back against her, and toe-poked it with my right foot in the corner (of the net),” Paradiso said.
Paradiso said she was also happy with her team’s performance offensively.
“It felt much better … we got the ball wide and were able to go end-line on them, and I think we connected a lot better,” she said.
A road match against Penn State is up next for the Buckeyes, scheduled for Thursday at 3 p.m in University Park, Pa.
