The Ohio State women’s soccer team opened the Big Ten portion of its schedule with a 1-0 loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers Friday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. The loss moves the Buckeyes to 3-3 overall and 0-1 in the Big Ten. Minnesota capitalized on its only opportunity in the 64th minute to end its three-game losing streak.
“The fans who came out saw an exciting game,” said Lori Walker, OSU women’s soccer coach. “I am very proud of my team. They showed tremendous heart.”
The Buckeyes had plenty of opportunities to take a lead in the game by getting 21 shots off, 13 of which came in the first half. Minnesota goalkeeper Julie Eibensteiner finished the game with eight saves to maintain the shutout.
“We have to be able to finish our chances which we had plenty of tonight,” Walker said. “We had 21 shots to their one. We have got to put the ball in the back of the net.”
Throughout the first half OSU could not take advantage of its scoring chances. Junior forward Lindsay Eckles led the charge by taking four shots in the half. Eckles finished the game with five shots, four of which were on goal. Senior midfielder Emily Thorpe added four more shots.
The Golden Gophers took advantage of its lone scoring chance when sophomore forward Rachel Roth took Minnesota’s only corner kick and played the ball in front of the net. After the ball bounced off several players senior forward Allison Rackley took a pass from Roth to put the ball past OSU keeper Jen Heaney.
OSU also could not capitalize on 16 corner kick chances.
The final 26 minutes were like the first 64. Ohio State controlled the ball but was unable to score to equalize the score.
“Tonight we played as well as we could,” said OSU defender Jen Miller. “We had a lot of chances to take the lead and we couldn’t capitalize and they took one shot and scored. Even though we lost I think we gained confidence.”
Yesterday, the OSU offense struggled again, getting shut out by Kentucky, in a non-conference matchup in Lexington, Ky.
Kentucky won the game 2-0, getting a goal in each half.
The loss was the Buckeyes fourth in-a-row and third consecutive shutout.
OSU was able to land only five shots on goal, while Kentucky was able to get nine shots off.
OSU keeper Jen Heaney kept the Buckeyes in the game, saving four Wildcat shots.
