During its first matchup with the nation’s top-ranked squad since Sept. 17, 2017, Northwestern didn’t shy away from pushing the action in the opening half against No. 1 Ohio State Friday night.
The Wildcats (8-6-1, 2-5-1 Big Ten) kept the Buckeyes (11-1-2, 6-1-1 Big Ten) at bay for 54 minutes, but the hosts’ two second-half goals doomed NU in a 2-0 defeat.
The loss ended a four-match unbeaten streak for the ’Cats, who must pick up points in their final two conference games to stand a chance of making the Big Ten tournament.
Although NU would’ve been keen to escape Columbus with a point, coach Russell Payne’s squad didn’t roll out a conservative game plan.
Senior midfielder Collin McCamy recorded the match’s first shot in the fourth minute, and sophomore midfielder Tyler Glassberg tested Ohio State goalkeeper Max Trejo with an on-frame effort about 15 minutes later.
Glassberg’s attempt was his team’s lone shot on goal Friday night.
Behind a dominant defensive display from junior center back Nigel Prince, the ’Cats took a scoreless tie into halftime.
Just 17 seconds into the second half, junior goalkeeper Rafael Ponce de León leapt into action, keeping the scoreline level with a top-drawer denial.
Buckeye midfielder Michael Adedokun, who has tallied eight goals and nine assists this season, picked up steam as the game ran on. Attacking down the left wing, Adedokun played a dangerous ball into the box in the 55th minute.
The ball eventually sprayed onto Ohio State forward David Ajagbe’s foot, and the freshman finished the opening goal.
As NU pushed for an equalizer, Adedokun stretched the home advantage right after the 68th minute, scoring a vital insurance goal for the Buckeyes.
Despite earning a flurry of late corner kicks, the ’Cats seldom posed a threat to complete a two-goal comeback, and the game concluded with NU’s fifth conference defeat.
The ’Cats will take on No. 25 Indiana on Tuesday in a crucial matchup with the league leaders.
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