OSU sophomore forward Marcus McCrary (19) dribbles the ball in a game against University of Maryland, Baltimore County on Sept. 4 in Baltimore. Credit: Courtesy of Ohio State Athletics
Entering FirstEnergy Stadium-Cub Cadet in front of a large crowd of 3,889 fans, the Ohio State men’s soccer team ended its four-game losing streak in a thrilling game.
OSU (1-4-1) and No. 11 Akron (4-1-1) battled each other from start to finish, resulting in the game going double overtime that stood as a 3-3 tie.
OSU junior defender and co-captain Tyler Kidwell had the first opportunity of the game to put the Buckeyes on the board. However, his shot was blocked by Akron junior goalkeeper Jake Fenlason..
Redshirt senior forward Kenny Cunningham was the second Buckeye to register an attempt on goal, but his shot hit off the bar, allowing Akron to clear the way to try and get a point on the board.
Akron registered its first shot in the eighth minute of the game when junior forward Sean Sepe chested a shot into goal, giving the Zips a 1-0 lead over the Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes did not give up, though, as they continued to try and equalize the match.
OSU earned a third corner in the 10th minute of the first half, but a whistle was blown for a foul against the Buckeyes, denying it the chance for the corner kick.
In the 30th minute, Akron went for another goal, but OSU senior goalkeeper Chris Froschauer grabbed a big save as he stopped the ball with his knees, keeping the score at a 1-0 deficit.
As the half continued on, senior midfielder and co-captain Zach Mason was fouled on a shot attempt and a yellow card was given to the Zips in the 43rd minute.
Senior defender and co-captain Liam Doyle attempted a shot to the near post late in the half, but Fenlason made another save.
The Buckeyes trailed the Zips 1-0 at the end of the first half. However, things would turn around in their favor during the second half.
In the 48th minute of the game, junior forward Danny Jensen collected a loose ball in front of the net and punched it in, giving the Buckeyes their first goal, which leveled the match. Jensen’s goal was his first goal of the season.
Both teams were now neck-and-neck, and neither was giving up without a fight.
Assisted by junior forward Yaw Amankwa, senior midfielder Kyle Culbertson scored the Buckeyes’ second point of the game in the 55th minute to put OSU up 2-1 against Akron.
Down by one point, Akron redshirt freshman Tyler Sanda scored the team’s second goal in the 68th minute, tying the game at 2-all with 20 minutes to go in regulation.
The Buckeyes seemed to not be phased by Akron’s point, because within the next minute another goal was scored by freshman midfielder Abdi Mohamed, putting another Scarlet and Gray point on the board and giving OSU the lead. Mohamed’s score was his first career goal.
OSU might have been up a point, but the Zips were not giving up.
Akron sophomore midfielder Adam Najem scored another goal off a header to tie the game at 3-all in the 76th minute.
With only about 14 minutes left in regulation, the battle continued amongst both teams, but neither team could find the back of the net, forcing the game to go into overtime.
Sophomore forward Marcus McCrary had the best chance in overtime to give the Buckeyes a lead. However, Fenlason saved his shot from eight yards out in the 91st minute.
Jensen had the next best opportunity, but Fenlason also saved his shot moments later.
Both teams went back and forth, but neither could execute, sending the game into double overtime, which then resulted in a final score of 3-3.
Froschauer had a season high of six saves during the game. He now sits at 1-4-1 on the year.
Overall, the Buckeyes gathered a game-high eight shots on goal.
The Buckeyes are scheduled to host their first conference opener of the season against No. 13 Penn State at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
