Ohio State then-sophomore midfielder Esther Clotet Alsina fights for control of the ball during the Buckeyes’ 1-0 loss to Michigan on Sept. 22, 2017. Credit: Colin Hass-Hill | Former Sports Editor
The Ohio State field hockey team picked up two key road wins over the weekend at Penn State and Kent State.
Game 1
On Friday, Ohio State (7-8, 2-5 Big Ten) traveled to Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, and took home a 2-1 win against Penn State (4-11, 3-4) to snap a four-game losing streak.
Senior midfielder Esther Clotet Alsina opened up the scoring early in the second quarter.
Penn State tied the game 1-1 with five minutes left in the third quarter off a goal by junior forward Bree Bednarski. Ohio State responded less than two minutes later, however, with senior back Whitney Harris scoring the game-winning goal.
Ohio State defeated the Nittany Lions despite being outshot in the game. Penn State had three times as many shots as the Buckeyes, notching 15 to Ohio State’s five. Penn State also had five penalty corners to Ohio State’s one.
The victory helps Ohio State’s chances to make the 2019 Big Ten tournament. The tournament consists of the seven Big Ten teams with the best conference record. Ohio State currently ranks No. 7, thanks in part to Friday’s victory.
Game 2
On Sunday, the Buckeyes (8-8) beat the Mid-American Conference —leading Kent State 4-0. Ohio State had more total shots with 18-6 and shots on goal with 11-4. Kent State (10-7) managed three penalty corners to Ohio State’s eight.
Freshman midfielder Mackenzie Allessie, Alsina, sophomore forward Katie Pyle and sophomore midfielder Sina Schwinn all scored for the Buckeyes. Sophomore goalie Aaliyah Hernandez recorded her fourth clean-sheet of the season.
The Buckeyes play their final regular season game against Michigan State at 1 p.m. Saturday.
