Members of the OSU field hockey team celebrate during a game against Ball State on Sept. 14 at Buckeye Varsity Field. OSU won, 3-2, in overtime.
Credit: Melissa Prax / Lantern photographer
Junior forward Peanut Johnson’s breakaway overtime goal gave the Ohio State field hockey team a 3-2 victory Sunday against the Ball State Cardinals to salvage a split of its weekend series.
OSU (2-3) returned home Sunday after losing 1-0 to Ohio University (1-3) in Athens, Ohio, Friday night.
The Buckeyes showed resiliency as they battled back in overtime after losing a 2-0 lead to the Cardinals.
Ball State (3-2) converted off a penalty corner from senior midfielder Tori Widrick that led to an equalizing goal from sophomore midfielder Merinda Morley with 11 minutes left in regulation.
In overtime, freshman midfielder Maddy Humphrey grabbed a steal in OSU’s offensive zone and quickly fired a pass to Johnson, who connected on the game winner in front of the net.
“I kinda got in the zone,” Humphrey said about her crucial steal and assist. “Last week in our game against Ohio I had the same type of play, but I didn’t (center) it that well. So I did the same play, but I did it well.”
OSU jumped out to its early lead thanks to two quick goals from freshman forward Annabel Sams.
Sams crossed in front of the net a little more than seven minutes into the game and scored on a pass from Johnson for her first career goal.
A minute later, Sams was on the board again off an assist from her fellow freshman, Humphrey.
“We started out so quick,” Sams said. “We found each other. We found passes like with my first two goals.”
OSU coach Anne Wilkinson said she was proud of her team’s effort. She moved Sams from her normal forward position to the midfield Sunday in order to utilize her athleticism, and said was very pleased.
“We were able to create more space for her there,” Wilkinson said. “She’s good at coming from behind and attacking.”
Wilkinson said she was happy to see her freshman making contributions to the team in such a big way.
“It’s exciting,” Wilkinson said. “I’ve been watching them play for a few years now at a different level, but it’s nice to finally get them on the field (for OSU) and competing.”
The Buckeyes lost a closely contested matchup with the Ohio Bobcats Friday before their recovery against the Cardinals.
The defenses were on display with both teams combining for four shots in the first half. The game picked up a little in the second frame, but the Buckeyes were unable to capitalize despite outshooting the Bobcats, 10-6.
The game’s lone goal came off a rebound shot from Ohio freshman Megan Silveira with 18:55 remaining in the game. The goal snuck just past OSU freshman goalkeeper Liz Tamburro.
Friday and Sunday marked the first two times Tamburro did not record double-digit saves in 2014. She saved three shots against the Bobcats and four against the Cardinals.
OSU is set to begin Big Ten play Sept. 19 against Michigan State at 3 p.m. at Buckeye Varsity Field.
