After finishing the regular season as the second-ranked team in the Big Ten, the Ohio State women’s soccer team will play host to the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament.
The Buckeyes will play their first-round game Friday at 7:30 p.m. against Oregon State and a potential second-round game against either Florida or Illinois State. Both games will be played in OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
Playing at home is something coach Lori Walker cherishes.
“We love being at home,” Walker said. “We’re in the Jesse and we’re thrilled about that. I think that’s a wonderful opportunity for us, to be here in front of our home fans.”
The Buckeyes are hoping to shake off the disappointment of a loss in their regular season finale. The 1-0 defeat at the hands of Michigan State kept OSU from winning the program’s first ever regular-season conference title.
“I was disappointed for our team, but I was in no way disappointed in our team,” Walker said. “I think that’s behind us, and all we’re worried about now is Oregon State.”
Oregon State finished the regular season as the Pac-Ten’s sixth-ranked team, with an overall record of 12-7-1.
“They’ve had success in a very difficult conference so we’re going to do our homework and find a way to tactically adjust as we need to,” Walker said. “But really this part of the year is about us playing well, doing the things that we do well and finding a way to continue to score goals.”
