Saturday’s slate of games proved to be difficult for Big Ten teams in the WVU quadrant. Michigan was sent packing on penalties, while Ohio State needed a late goal to move past Dayton. Here’s a quick look at yesterday’s action in this section of the bracket.
Illinois State Advances on Penalties
In one of the most shocking results tournament wide Saturday, the Redbirds moved on to the second round after downing Michigan in penalties. Illinois State took a 1-0 advantage into the break when Lauren Koehl scored from 10 yards out in the 37th minute. After the break, Michigan tied it up quickly off a set piece about six minutes into the half. Jada Dayne headed in Reilly Martin’s free kick for the score.
Illinois State took the lead again in the 68th minute. Emily Dickman was on the winning side of a 1v1 with the keeper to give the Redbirds the advantage. Michigan countered in 75th minute when Nicky Waldeck headed in a long ball from Martin.
In penalties, the first four taken by each side were converted. The fifth round proved to be decisive as Abby Kastroll missed and the Redbirds stayed perfect. Illinois State will face Duke in the next round.
WVU Tops NKU 3-0
The Mountaineers got off to a stellar start when Heather Kaleiohi scored less than a minute into the match. The junior forward’s goal would prove to be the game winner. After the early goal, WVU was unable to extend their lead in the first half despite taking 12 more shots in that period.
West Virginia an insurance early in the second half from Michaela Abam. Olympic bronze medalist Ashley Lawrence rounded out scoring in the 76th minute with a long-range shot from about 22 yards out. West Virginia will face Ohio State in the next round.
Northwestern Easily Dispatches Kent State
The Wildcats scored three times to advance over the Golden Flashes Saturday. Kayla Sharples opened scoring in the 18th minute. The home side quickly extended their lead just a few minutes later when captain Nandi Mehta converted a penalty kick in the 20th minute. Kent State, who had some promising looks prior to the first goal, appeared shaken after giving up two goals in quick succession.
The scoreline would remain 2-0 until the 83rd minute when Kassidy Gorman tapped in a cross into the box from Rachel Zampa for the game’s final score. Kent State and Northwestern each recorded 10 shots in the contest. Northwestern plays SIUE in the next round of the tournament.
Ohio State Tops Dayton 2-3
In one of the most competitive matches of the day, the Buckeyes advanced to the second round of the tournament thanks to an 86th-minute goal by Nikki Walts. Saturday’s in-state contest saw three lead changes. Ohio State took the lead early when Sammy Edwards’ shot from twenty yards found the back of the net. Dayton answered moments before the half through one of the nation’s top scorers this season Alexis Kiehl. Libby Leedom provided the assist.
In the second half, Leedom and Kiehl switched roles to give Dayton the 2-1 advantage. Ohio State answered just 30 seconds later with a Walts goal from inside the eighteen-yard box. Walts struck again in the 86th minute when her attempt stayed just inside the right post. Ohio State will meet West Virginia in the next round.
