Indiana University women's soccer was back home at Bill Armstrong Stadium this past Sunday, falling 3-0 to the Ohio State Buckeyes. This Big Ten matchup featured a familiar face on Ohio State's side of the field: senior forward Elle Britt, who previously played for the Hoosiers before transferring to Ohio State, helped the Buckeyes secure their victory.
Ohio State started the game fiercely, gaining possession of the ball early. This forced goalkeeper Dani Jacobson into action immediately within the opening minute. The Hoosiers responded with an attempted early goal by defender Blair Satterfield, but the shot went wide.
The Buckeyes broke through in the eighth minute when Ohio State's Amanda Schlueter found the back of the net to give Ohio State a 1-0 lead. The Hoosiers attempted to respond with a goal of their own, but Ohio State's goalkeeper Peighton Northrup saved the shot. Less than a minute later, the Buckeyes struck again as Britt scored, which put the score at 2-0.
Satterfield held the Hoosiers defense line with several key plays that prevented any additional goals, while Jacobson made multiple saves to keep Ohio State from creating a larger lead. The Buckeyes continued to put pressure on the Hoosiers during the first half, but the Indiana defensive back line remained strong.
Indiana head coach Josh Rife said the team's chemistry helped it respond after the early setback.
“I think the group has done a really good job of investing in each other, so that when you have these frustrating moments, you're kind of having to hold people accountable,” Rife said. “So I think they were even able within the match to have a few words together, sort it out and move forward with it. So, you're hoping for the work that you put in in preseason and kind of the chemistry they're building.”
The Hoosiers created opportunities midway through the half. Forward Emily Graham carried the ball down the wing and found forward Grace Hamm, Hamm attempted a shot but it went wide. Amaya Falzarano, forward, maintained pressure on Ohio State's defenders, while defender Piper Coffield had several strong defensive plays in transition.
Ohio State tried to gain a third goal in the 30th minute, but the play was ruled offside. Indiana continued to battle late in the half, earning shot attempts from midfielder Kennedy Neighbors and midfielder Maggie Ledwith, though neither could find the net. Jacobson remained a key presence in goal after the Buckeyes’ early scoring, helping prevent another Buckeye goal in the first half.
The Hoosiers entered halftime scoreless, with the Buckeyes leading 2-0.
Ohio State opened the second half with possession, however the Hoosiers began to pick up their pace, spending more time on Ohio State's side of the field. The Buckeyes continued to create chances and earned a corner kick after working through the Hoosier defense.
Ohio State gained their third goal in the 60th minute when Schlueter scored her second goal of the match, putting Ohio State up 3-0. A foul on Ledwith was called shortly after, which highlighted the physicality of the game as both teams continued to battle for possession.
The Buckeyes controlled the ball for the majority of the second half, but Indiana still tried to get any shots in the goal. The Hoosier earned a free kick in the 74th minute, providing one of their best scoring opportunities of the half. Hamm later attempted to send a cross into the box, but the Buckeyes cleared.
Indiana generated another chance from a corner kick in the 80th minute. Midfielder Ella Stanley delivered the kick, and defender Bella Haggerty got a head on the ball. After the ball got cleared, Haggerty pushed to attack once again, but Ohio State quickly cleared the area.
The final minutes remained physical as both teams pushed for late opportunities. Falzarano went down while attempting to create a scoring chance but quickly returned to play. Midfielder Emma Ehret delivered a cross into the box to Falzarano in the 88th minute, but the chance went uncompleted. Neighbors recorded Indiana's final shot attempt a minute later, sending the ball over the crossbar.
Ohio State closed out to a 3-0 victory over Indiana.
Indiana recorded four players with shot attempts, led by Neighbors with two. Ledwith, Graham and Stanley each added one shot. Defensively, the Hoosiers forced nine Ohio State offside calls and held the Buckeyes to three corner kicks.
Indiana will travel to Madison, Wisconsin to face Wisconsin on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m.
Indiana defeats Ohio 3-2
