No. 6 Penn State (7-3-1,3-1-1 Big 10) lost a tough one to Big Ten rival No. 22 Ohio State ( 9-2-1, 4-1-0 Big 10) for its first conference loss of the season.

The game saw Penn State send 12 shots Ohio State’s way, but the Buckeyes would be the only ones to find the back of the next.

How It Happened

The match got off to a quick start with strong moves from Buckeyes forward Eleanor Gabriel and midfielder Nikki Walts pressuring the Nittany Lion backline. Consecutive Ohio State corners would also strain Penn State’s resolve, but despite the offensive onslaught the Nittany Lions kept the Buckeyes out of their net.

Penn State would rev up its own engines as the first half wore on, launching four shots at the Ohio State goal. Only one of these shots would make it close to net though, as senior forward Megan Schafer made her way into the box after a superb through pass. But the promising attack was thwarted after a great move from Ohio State goalkeeper Devon Kerr, who met Schafer one on one to make a diving stop.

The second half saw Penn State jump out on an early rush, and two successive corners saw the Nittany Lions get tantalizingly close to scoring, especially after shots from midfielders Marissa Sheva, Laura Freigang, and Charlotte Williams.

Ohio State soon launched a counter attack after gaining the ball back from the tired Nittany Lion offense, working and weaving the ball through an opened up Penn State defense. Defender Marike Mousset saw a chance for Ohio State waiting just right of the goal, launching a high-flying cross to striker Sammy Edwards. The sophomore would bury a strike past goalkeeper Rose Chandler with a strong shot in the corner to put the Buckeyes up 1-0.

The rest of the match saw Penn State attacking in an attempt to even the score. After a save from Chandler put the ball back in Nittany Lion possession, Penn State would put the Buckeye goal under siege once more. Two corners and four shots, including a close header from forward Frannie Crouse, would come from this rushed attack but the blue and white were unable to make the most of their chances.

Player Of The Match

Sammy Edwards | Senior | Forward

The Ohio State forward came up big for her team, knocking home the game’s only goal in a match full of close scoring chances for both sides.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions return home to State College after a three-game road trip to play Michigan on Friday, Oct. 6.