Senior forward Kailyn Dudukovich (21) and junior midfielder Ella Giannola (13) during the No. 3 Buckeyes 2-1 win over Auburn at the Dennie Spry Soccer Stadium on Friday. Credit: Ohio State Athletics
Two first-half goals were the difference for the Buckeyes against the Auburn.
Ohio State (13-5-3, 6-3-2 Big Ten) defeated the Tigers (13-3-4, 4-2-4 SEC) 2-1 in the second round of the NCAA tournament Friday at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Kailyn Dudkovich got the Buckeyes on the board in the 32nd minute. Her initial shot was blocked by Auburn keeper Maddie Rohaska, but Dudukovich’s second attempt deflected off two Auburn defenders found the back of the net.
Eleven minutes later, forward/midfielder Amanda Schlueter scored to put the Buckeyes up 2-0 heading into the half.
Keeper Molly Pritchard assisted Schlueter on a free kick from midfield, as she beat Rohaska to the ball, heading the ball into the net as she collided with the goalie.
Then, In the 85th minute, Tigers forward Olivia Woodson scored a goal off an assist by midfielder/forward Becky Contreras, but it was too little, too late.
Ohio State will take on Wake Forest Sunday at 2 p.m. on its home field at Spry Stadium in Winston-Salem.
