Ohio State senior midfielder Michael Adedokun (17) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal against Western Michigan in the second round of the NCAA tournament Sunday. The Buckeyes defeated the Broncos 2-1. Credit: Faith Schneider | Lantern Photographer
Win and advance.
That’s exactly what the Buckeyes did Sunday night.
In the teams’ first meeting in 34 years, No. 1 Ohio State defeated Western Michigan 2-1 in the second round of the NCAA’s 2024 Division l Men’s Soccer Tournament at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium thanks to a game-winning goal from midfielder Michael Adeodokun.
“I feel happy to be able to help my team,” Adedokun said. “That’s what I’ve been doing throughout the season, not just only me, the guys as well. So I feel happy, I feel honored to help my team again tonight.”
The Buckeyes nearly found the lead in the 15th minute, when midfielder Marko Borkovich struck a powerful ball from the box that sailed over the net.
The Broncos didn’t record a shot in the game’s first 20 minutes, but in the 32nd minute, Western Michigan midfielder Owen Smith found the back of the net with a shot to the lower center. Western Michigan took a 1-0 lead and the goal was assisted by Mercer and defender Emiel Nieuwhof.
The goal marked the third time this season the Buckeyes haven’t scored first in a game.
But the Buckeyes responded accordingly. In the 41st minute, Ohio State defender Siggi Magnusson found the equalizer off a ground kick following an assist from defender Nathan Demian.
“If I’m gonna be honest, I thought I didn’t have it, I think it was going wide before they hit the defender so yeah, we got some luck in it, but sometimes you need luck, and I think we were the better side today,” Magnusson said.
Despite a 1-1 tie, Ohio State dominated the first half, finding 14 shots to the Broncos’ four, while accruing two fouls against Western Michigan’s seven.
“I was really happy with the way we played in the first half,” head coach Brian Maisonneuve said. “I thought we put them on their heels, we got after ‘em.”
The second half began with the reinvigorated Broncos receiving the first yellow card of the match, issued to the Western Michigan bench.
As the match approached the 64th minute, Adedokun gave the Buckeyes the lead with a powerful shot toward the bottom left of the Broncos’ goal after an impressive display of his elite footwork.
“Mikey [Adedokun], he’s a difference maker,” Maisonneuve said. Fortunately, we got a couple of those guys. The guys know when Mikey gets isolated, let him go, let him do his thing, and he’s been doing a great job.”
By the end of the match, the Buckeyes tallied 18 shots compared to Western Michigan’s nine, while committing 10 fouls and one yellow card against the Broncos’ 12.
Ohio State will return to Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium next Sunday to play in the third round of the tournament against either Stanford or UC Santa Barbara at 5 p.m..
