No. 4 Ohio State Edges No. 13 Cardinals 4-3 in OT

Sunday, September 29

Columbus, OH

3:00 PM

University of Louisville

(5-5)

Ohio State

(9-0)

Louisville

Ohio State

Photo by: Ohio State Athletics

September 29, 2024 | Field Hockey

Box Score

Cards rally from a 3-1 deficit in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime

By: Lori Harmon

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Makenna Webster's goal in the fourth minute of overtime lifted fourth-ranked Ohio State to a 4-3 win over the 13^th-ranked University of Louisville field hockey team Sunday afternoon at Buckeye Varsity Field.

The back-and-forth game featured three lead changes and two ties as the Cardinals took an early lead and eventually rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the game with 1:10 left in regulation. Rylie Wollerton tallied a goal and an assist, Izzy Bianco and Chloe Plumb added goals and Emily Young collected six saves for the Cardinals.

"What a great game to be part of – I'm sure it was entertaining to watch," said UofL head coach Justine Sowry. "I'm just so proud of our effort, fight and persistence today after a tough turn around yesterday. After some introspection, we were intentional in playing Louisville field hockey, working together and being there for one another on both sides of the ball. The comeback in the fourth quarter was special to watch. The finishing of Makenna Webster was the difference today."

Overall, Ohio State outshot the Cardinals 16-8 with a 10-4 advantage in shots on goal and a 7-3 edge in corners. Louisville drops to 5-5 on the season while Ohio State improves to 9-0.

The first two quarters of play featured a defensive battle as the teams entered halftime with the Cardinals owning a 3-2 edge in shots and each team earning two penalty corners apiece. Emily Young picked up a first half save to keep the game scoreless entering halftime.

Louisville broke through the stalemate midway the third quarter after Caroline Pusey earned a penalty corner. Sophia Parker got the corner started and Wollerton settled the ball for Bianco, who delivered her fourth goal of the season to give the Cards a 1-0 lead.

The Buckeyes countered four minutes later with a penalty corner goal by Katie Fichtner to even the score at 1-1. Ohio State scored again with 10 seconds left to play in the third quarter on another penalty corner goal by Webster to go on top 2-1.

Ohio State carried the momentum into the fourth quarter, extending its lead with a goal by Lindsey Roberts to make the score 3-1 with 11:45 left on the clock.

The Cardinals dialed up their attack with a pair of goals late in the frame. Louisville began to chip away at the lead midway through the fourth quarter. Aimee Plumb received a feed from Lauren Masters and sent a cross to the middle of the circle where Wollerton was waiting to deliver her team-best fifth goal of the season to cut the lead to one goal.

Louisville continued to press forward and Sowry proceeded to lift Young in favor of an extra field player with 2:35 remaining in regulation. The move paid off after the defense withstood a Buckeye offensive threat and the Cardinals gained possession, working their way to their attacking circle. Aimee Plumb intercepted Buckeye free hit in the midfield directed the ball back into the circle, sparking a scramble in front of the cage that resulted in a goal by Chloe Plumb to even the score at 3-3 with 1:10 remaining in regulation.

The game entered a 10-minute 7v7 sudden-victory overtime period. The Cards attacked with an early scoring opportunity, but Mia Duchars' shot was blocked by the Ohio State defense. Young picked up her a pair of saves in the extra period, but Webster connected on a rebound and sent a shot over Young's glove to secure the win with her second goal of the game.

Louisville will return to Atlantic Coast Conference play next weekend when the Cardinals continue their stretch of ranked opponents with road games at No. 15 Syracuse and No. 3 Virginia.