Ohio State redshirt junior goalkeeper Parker Siegfried saves a shot attempt in Friday’s game against No. 8 Michigan State. Ohio State lost to No. 8 Michigan State X-X. Credit: Colin Gay | Sports Editor
Ohio State thought it had secured overtime against No, 8 Michigan State.
With a 1-0 deficit heading into the 87th minute, redshirt freshman Devyn Etling scored his third goal of the season, a goal assisted by redshirt senior defender Brady Blackwell, who, along with midfielder Michael Prosuk, defender Michael Dichlan and midfielder Alex Nichols, had been celebrating a senior day.
However, as Ohio State prepared for overtime, Michigan State showed why it was ranked as a Top 10 team.
The Spartans moved quickly down the field, getting a shot off as time ticked down, something the team had done all day against the Ohio State offense, recording 16 shots, including seven on goal.
After the initial miss and save by Ohio State redshirt junior goalkeeper Parker Siegfried, Michigan State junior defender nailed a header off the Siegfried deflection in the 89th minute to seal Ohio State’s (1-10-2, 0-4-1 Big Ten) 2-1 loss to No. 8 Michigan State (10-2-2, 4-1 Big Ten)
Head coach Brian Maisonneuve said the Michigan State score was due to the slow transition of the offense to defense, especially as regulation was close to complete.
“You would hope to lock it down with two-and-a-half minutes to go, but I mean it’s one of those instances where we might have gotten caught up in the moment a little bit and they put their foot on the petal,” Maisonneuve said. “They didn’t quit.”
The Spartans “put their foot on the pedal” all day offensively.
Michigan State junior forward Giuseppe Barone connected on the first goal of the game in the 36th minute, landing in the top left corner of the goal past Ohio State redshirt junior goalkeeper Parker Siegfried after he had three saves to start the game. Siegfried ended the game with five saves on the seven shots on goal.
While the Spartans shined offensively, putting the team in good positions throughout the game, Ohio State struggled, continuing its stagnant offensive performances the team had had in the last two losses to Cleveland State and Syracuse.
In the first half, the Buckeyes recorded only one shot against the Spartans, with one corner kick attempt in the first 45 minutes. Ohio State ended the day with two shots, only one of which were on goal.
“We definitely took a step forward in our effort. We never gave up and that was fantastic. I thought our soccer was just OK today,” Maisonneuve said. “We have played three games in a week, so our legs are heavy and it showed in our quality and execution, but the effort was there.”
In the 44th minute, Ohio State junior defender Osman Fofanah collided with Barone for a foul. As Barone stayed on the ground, Fofanah was pushed down by Michigan State senior forward Hunter Barone. Both Hunter Barone and Fofanah were given red cards and left the game.
While the referee saw Fofanah’s tackle as a two-foot tackle where the defender came in cleats up and missed the ball, Maisonneuve said he saw something different.
“It looked like a good hard tackle, but I will see it on video. It’s hard to tell, I didn’t see it live,” Maisonneuve said. “If he saw it right, it’s a red card, but I’m curious because I saw it differently.”
Ohio State will finish its two-game homestand Tuesday when the Buckeyes face No. 5 Kentucky at 7 p.m.
