Women’s Soccer: WVU Falls at Ohio State
April 25, 2010 04:45 PM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
April 25, 2010
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| Bri Rodriguez |
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Despite creating several scoring chances on Sunday afternoon, the West Virginia women’s soccer team fell 2-0 at Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio.
After a strong opening 20 minutes from the Mountaineers, OSU found the back of the net midway through the half to take a 1-0 lead. The Buckeyes worked the ball up the left side of the field and sent a ball across the top of the 18-yard box. A Buckeye midfielder was left open, took two dribbles and beat WVU goalkeeper Kerri Butler near post for the score.
Ohio State added a goal early into the second half off a corner kick. The WVU defense failed to step to the ball as a Buckeye player slotted a ball into the net from 6-yards out.
The Mountaineers had several scoring chances on the afternoon, including a solid look 10 minutes in from midfielder Bri Rodriguez. Defender Bry McCarthy pushed forward down the left flank and found Rodriguez around the top of the 18-yard box. Rodriguez fired a shot with OSU’s goalkeeper coming up with a diving save to her right.
Forward Erica Henderson nearly put the Mountaineers on the board moments later on a one-touch shot inside the box. Forward Morgan Betscher served a ball into the middle where Henderson’s shot ricocheted hard off the right post.
WVU’s offense generated several corner kick opportunities, including a pair of dangerous headers in the first half from defender Mallory Smith and forward Blake Miller. Both shots drifted wide of the goal.
West Virginia goalkeeper Sara Keane played all of the second half, including a brilliant opening 10 minutes with three saves. Keane was solid off her line on two occasions and pushed a long range shot over the crossbar for a stop.
Rodriguez continued her strong play with a shot off the crossbar in the second half to keep the Buckeyes on their heels.
Nineteen different Mountaineers saw action on the day as WVU closed out its spring season. The Mountaineers played eighth matches this spring, competing against Penn State, William & Mary, Virginia, Pitt, Akron, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech and Ohio State.
