Ohio State freshman forward Jordyn Petrie (19) enters the offensive zone during the game against Wisconsin Friday. The Buckeyes fell to the Badgers 4-2. Credit: Danielle Hershenson | Lantern Photographer
A two-goal lead wasn’t enough to get No. 2 Ohio State the win after four scores by No. 1 Wisconsin.
The Buckeyes (11-3-2, 6-3-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association) fell to No. 1 Wisconsin (13-0, 9-0 WCHA) 4-2 in an regular-season rematch of the 2024 national championship game.
The first period was Ohio State’s strongest of the game.
After a few close attempts on net, including a tumble by Badgers goaltender Ava McNaughton during a clear, the Buckeyes broke the stalemate just under five minutes into the game.
Forward Maddi Wheeler scored her third goal of the season, against her former team, thanks to an across-the-goal pass from forward Joy Dunne.
Only 14 seconds later, Buckeye captain Jenna Buglioni increased Ohio State’s lead to two with her 12th goal of the season, as Dunne recorded her second assist of the night.
Ohio State head coach Nadine Muzerall accredited her team’s hot start to its efforts on the forecheck.
“We’re a team that’s very relentless and hardworking, and we work really hard for our goals,” Muzerall said.
Buglioni said she hasn’t intentionally focused on goal-scoring this season, but it’s been coming naturally.
“I’m happy to be able to produce for our team, but we have a lot of people that are helping,” Buglioni said. “It’s not just me; it’s all of us.”
Badgers forward Lacy Eden put Wisconsin in the scoring column at 4:49 off assists from forwards Casey O’Brien and Laila Edwards, cutting down Wisconsin’s deficit to 2-1.
O’Brien then netted a goal of her own at 11:53 off assists by Edwards and defender Vivian Jungels to even the score with Ohio State.
The second period concluded with a 2-2 tie.
The Badgers opened the third period with a power play goal at 2:43 by Eden to take their first lead of the game. Her second goal of the night was assisted by Edwards and forward Kirsten Simms.
Despite the Buckeyes outshooting the Badgers 33-22, Ohio State was unable to find the equalizer.
Muzerall said she felt her team dominated the ice with offensive pressure, but were nevertheless held back by an inability to capitalize.
“What I liked was I felt the domination that we had in big chunks of the game, and [we] outshot them considerably,” Muzerall said.
An empty net goal by Badgers defender Caroline Harvey finalized the score at 4-2 in game one between Wisconsin and Ohio State.
Buglioni said she was proud of her team for playing relentlessly until the end, despite the end result.
“I’m really proud of our group; it makes me a little emotional,” Buglioni said. “I would pick our locker room 10 times out of 10, like, I’d pick our girls over and over again.”
The Buckeyes will be back in action against the Badgers 3 p.m. Saturday at the Ohio State Ice Rink.
