Do it. Or don't, if you love cancer more than you love not-cancer.Ohio State operates the NCAA's second-largest athletic department. Eleven Warriors is committed to keeping you informed of what's happening with those sports that make Ohio State athletics more than just football and basketball. Around the Oval will be your weekly update on these teams.
Ho hum, just another week in Columbus.
It's now Movember. Don't you dare forget to cultivate your 'stache (DJ's ears just perked up, but we are talking facial hair here, not copious amounts of Snoop Dogg brand stash) if you're work will allow it, and if they don't, quit and find somewhere else to work.
I sincerely hope that you had 72 days in your "sham-wedding-to-divorice-cash-out-on-fake-celebrity-wedding-pool". If you're able to pick up the pieces of your broken heart, and are willing to try and believe in anything again following that shell-shock you've no doubt endured, I offer this column as your port in the storm.
Let's come together, all of us, and hold tight to the knowledge that there is still true love somewhere out there: our love of all things Ohio State.
Ohio State's football program may have (rightfully) stolen the spotlight around campus, but there was a crap-ton of haps around the athletic this past week, and while we are not likely to hit them all here, we're sure going to give it the ol' Kardashian try.
Where to begin, where to begin....
the soccer dudes had a #realgoodtime
It's been a pretty good month for Matt Lampson and the Ohio State men's soccer team. Heading into last week, Ohio State was 4-1-1 for the month, and Lampson's sterling play (only four goals allowed in those six games) has been a big part of the reason. As the Buckeyes looked to close out October continuing their hot streak, they did so knowing that they controlled their own destiny as the B1G tournament comes around next week. If they take care of their business, the Buckeyes will enter the post-season as the top seed in the tournament.
Standing between them and that top seed this past week were the Golden Grizzlies of Oakland University, in the final non-conference game of the year, and the stinkin' Badgers of Wisconsin.
Ohio State (8-5-2) at Oakland (3-11-1) After back-to-back overtime wins, Ohio State entered its game with the Golden Griz riding high, and with a 9-0-2 all-time mark against Oakland, looked to leave Rochester with their ninth win of the year. The Grizzlies, 3-11-1, were hoping to use the contest as a rallying-point before they headed into a stretch of vital conference matches of their own.
"I fully expect a 150% effort from our players after a disappointing result over the weekend," said Oakland head coach Eric Pogue. "We will try to use this home game against a top program to springboard us into our first of two must-win matches, away at Eastern Illinois over the weekend."
Would that 150%, (technically impossible and one of my biggest sports jargon pet-peeves, but I digress) be enough to topple the Big Ten's leading scorer, Chris Hegngi, and his Buckeye compatriots?
The Buckeyes aimed to derail any hopes of an upset early, as freshman Kenny Cunningham put Ohio State on the board with a helper from Sage Gardner at 15:48 of the first half. Ohio State controlled the match for much of the first half, but Oakland's Mitch Hildebrandt gave his team a fighting chance with three saves in the last 15 minutes of the frame.
As the second half started, Oakland was finally able to mount some offensive pressure of their own, and the Grizzlies' John Timm got one past Lampson at 51:33. The goal, the first scored against Ohio State in almost 300 minutes of game-play (Northwestern scored at 57:49 on October 9th), tied the game at one and the Grizzlies' faithful, all 223 that withstood the rainy, 48 degree weather, would be rewarded with an exciting finish.
After the Oakland goal, the natural order of things was restored, and Ohio State cranked up the pressure - and finally got the go-ahead-goal from freshman Adam Gorski. The goal, Gorski's first of the season, would cap the scoring, and the game would end 2-1, Ohio State.
"It was a classic Oakland versus Ohio State game," said Oakland head coach Eric Pogue. "It seems like it's always a one-goal game. It's always a difficult game, but what's good about it is that it really prepares us down the stretch for our important conference games."
The win against Oakland set the Buckeyes up for a key B1G match-up with Wisconsin, who entered the game tied with Ohio State for second in the conference standings.
Matt Lampson had a great OctoberOhio State (9-5-2) at Wisconsin (8-7-2) For Ohio State to have a chance to win the Big Ten regular season title for the third time, the Buckeyes would need to come up big on the road in Madison on Sunday afternoon. Ohio State, who struggled mightily on the road a year ago (1-5-1) have been better away from Columbus this year, and a win would put them over .500 on the road for the season.
When you're on the road in conference, you need a big game from your big names, and the Buckeyes top gun, Chris Hegngi would get the scoring underway with his 9th goal of the season at 26:44 of the first half on a penalty kick. Hegngi's fifth goal in five B1G games would be the only goal in an active first half of soccer, as both Lampson and Wisconsin's Max Jentsch each recorded two saves in the opening period.
The second half saw Bucky dominate the stat sheet, outshooting Ohio State 15-5, but despite that pressure, Ohio State's Parnell Hegngi added an insurance goal at 69:32. Wisconsin continued to pepper Lampson, including six shots in the final 20 minutes, but Lampson and the Buckeye defense stood tall. The game ended with Ohio State, despite being outshot for the game 20-13, leaving Madison with a 2-0 win and in first place in the B1G. Ohio State picked up a huge road victory despite being somewhat limited with their personnel.
"This was simply a great effort from all of our players today," John Bluem, now has reached at least 10 wins in 12 of his 15 seasons as head coach at Ohio State, said. "We had to change the lineup because of injuries, starting four freshmen and only using two subs, but we got great minutes from everyone.
"The defense withstood some very good attacks from Wisconsin in the second half with Chris Gomez coming up with a team save and Zach Dobey playing very well in his first game at center back. Everyone did what needed to be done to hang on for the win."
Ohio State will travel to Bloomington, Indiana next Saturday for their regular season finale, where a victory would mean a top seed in the Big Ten tournament. Ohio State has won their previous three meetings with Indiana, including last year's contest, 1-0. The game will be televised on tape-delay Sunday afternoon on the BTN.
children of the corn
The Ohio State women's volleyball team has seen its share of ups and downs this year, and last week was no exception. Two Big Ten matchups, both at home, one against the nation's top-ranked team, and one against an unranked Iowa squad, could act as a litmus test of sorts for the volleyballers.
#1 Nebraska (17-1, 10-0 Big Ten) at #23 Ohio State (15-8, 5-5 Big Ten) Before the game, Ohio State honored last year's Sweet 16 run with a banner in the rafters, and between the second and third sets, honored 21 former players, setting the scene for a huge match-up against the #1 Huskers.
Unfortunately, for Ohio State, the remainder of the night was less of a celebration.
Nebraska bested Ohio State 3-1 (19-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-17) and improved their mark to 11-0 in conference. Ohio State, led by Mari Hole's team high 15 match points, could not maintain the momentum from their second set victory, and fell to 5-6 in the B1G.
Iowa (11-13, 1-10 Big Ten) at #23 Ohio State (15-9, 5-6 Big Ten) After the loss against the #1 Huskers, a home game against the conference's second-worst team would prove to be exactly what Ohio State needed to get back on the winning track. Ohio State would topple Iowa 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-16) on the shoulders of Hole, who once again led Ohio State with 21 match points. The Hawkeyes, who fell to 1-11 in the conference, have won a total of five sets in conference play, with two of them coming against the Buckeyes.
The Bucks will hit the road this weekend for games at Wisconsin (13-11, 5-7 Big Ten) and at Minnesota (13-8, 6-6 Big Ten).
buckeye bits
Matt Lampson wins second consecutive B1G Defensive POW award after recording his fifth blank slate of the season.
The wrasslers start their season this upcoming weekend in Ypsilanti, and OhioStateBuckeyes.com has an excellent breakdown of the roster by weight class.
Puckers kiss their sister and win one against the Nanooks. Cal Heeter and Devin Krogh win CCHA POW awards for their efforts.
Ohio State's women's soccer team finished their regular season with a 3-0 win at home against Indiana. The Buckeyes finished 10-8-1, 5-5-1 in the Big Ten, good for a #7 seed in next week's B1G tournament, where they will face second-seeded Illinois on Wednesday in the first round. The game will be streamed live at BTN.com.
That will do it for us here Around the Oval, thanks for your reading.
