Ohio State excellence is not exclusive to the football field or the basketball court. Around the Oval is our way of keeping you informed of the amazing things happening with the other 34 varsity sports on campus.
women's volleyball downs top five team
No. 13 Ohio State added another impressive victory to their season total, this time toppling No. 4 Nebraska. Lately, the Buckeyes have Nebraska's number – it's the team's third win in their last four contests against the ever-talented Cornhuskers. The Buckeyes knocked off No. 4 Nebraska in 2012, No. 8 Nebraska last season, and No. 4 last weekend.
The match was a five-set thriller (22-25, 25-18, 25-22, 17-25,15-10) and the Buckeyes notched the victory thanks to freshman Audra Appold's match-leading 22 kills – the best performance of her young career.
Ohio State head coach Geoff Carlston had fun celebrating the big win with some fantastic dance moves:
HOW IT FEELS TO BEAT #4 pic.twitter.com/02oiVl6iR7
— Block O Volleyball (@BlockOVball) October 4, 2015
A victory over Nebraska came after a four set win over Iowa, Friday night. The two wins put the Buckeyes at 14-2 on the season and 3-1 in conference play. OSU is currently ranked No. 13 in the country, but after a big weekend that ranking is sure to climb when the latest poll is released later this afternoon.
Ohio State will again be tested this weekend as they hit the road to face Northwestern, Friday, and No. 7 Illinois, Saturday.
men's soccer undefeated in Five matches
After a slow start to the 2015 season, it appears the Ohio State men's soccer team finally found its form. This week, the Buckeyes added two wins against Louisville and Michigan State to bring their record to 4-4-2 on the season.
The Buckeyes recorded a 1-0 shutout victory against Louisville in a rainy match in Columbus. Junior Danny Jensen scored the match's lone goal on a header in the 55th minute.
"I thought our guys defended extremely well in some tough conditions," head coach John Bluem said. "We took care of business at home in these last three matches and now we need to continue that confidence this weekend on the road."
And that they did.
Despite being out-shot 18-9, the Buckeyes traveled to East Lansing, Sunday afternoon, and left with a 2-1 victory over the Spartans. Sophomore Marcus McCrary scored on a counter attack – his first of the season – and junior Danny Jensen also netted one, and leads the team with 12 career goals.
The match highlights and game recap can be seen here:
After losing four straight to start the season, the Buckeyes are finally playing up to their potential. Ohio State is undefeated in their last five matches including draws against ranked opponents Akron and Penn State.
"Our team is really jelling right now,” sophomore forward Marcus McCrary said.
The Buckeyes have a chance to extend their undefeated streak with matches against Bowling Green and Indiana this week.
jenny potter gets first wins of coaching career
Ohio State's women's hockey team started their season out with a bang with a two win sweep of Lindenwood. The Buckeyes have not lost a game in their season-opening series since the 2007-08 season.
The wins are the first of first-year head coach Jenny Potter's Buckeye coaching career. Potter is one of three new head coaches in the Ohio State athletic department this season. She comes to Ohio State with relatively little coaching experience. Potter only coached two seasons at Trinity College before coming to Columbus. However, she led the team to its first ever conference championship and second ever NCAA tournament appearance in just her second year.
Whatever experience Jenny Potter lacks as a coach is more than made up for with her experience as a player, as she is one of the most decorated USA women's hockey players of all time.
From an Ohio State release:
Potter, a longtime player and contributor for the United States national team, began making a name for herself on the international stage as a player in the first Olympic women's hockey tournament. Registered as the second-youngest player on Team USA, she helped guide the United States to a gold medal at the 1998 Olympic Games. Potter went on to skate in three more Olympic Games following her winning introduction, claiming silver medals in 2002 and 2010 and a bronze medal in 2006.
A veteran for Team USA at the 2010 Olympic Games, Potter was appointed as the team's captain and athlete director. En route to a silver medal finish in 2010, she led the U.S. in scoring, became the first Olympic player to net hat tricks in back-to-back games and set a U.S. single-game record with five points.
In addition to her Olympic appearances, Potter helped Team USA win World Championship titles in 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2011. In all, she competed in eight IIHF World Championships and seven Four Nations Cups. Potter was also named the Player of the Year for Canada's Western Women's Hockey League in 2009.
All signs point to Jenny Potter being a home-run hire for the Buckeyes. However, the team's schedule does the rookie head coach no favors. Ohio State will head to Madison this weekend to take on the No. 3 Wisconsin Badgers.
The Buckeyes won't lay down lightly. Last season, Ohio State upset then third-ranked Wisconsin on senior night. The Badgers will be out for revenge, but the new Buckeye coach will be looking to notch a signature win early in her coaching career.
Other Scores and News
- Fencing: Opened their season with an 8-0 sweep at the OSU Duals meet. The Buckeyes swept the meet for the 12th consecutive year.
- Men's Cross Country: Finished first at All-Ohio Championships
- Women's Cross Country: Finished eighth at Greater Louisville Classic
- Men's Hockey: The Buckeyes won their preseason exhibition match against Brock 4-0.
- Women's Soccer: Played Illinois to a 1-1 draw.
- Men's Golf: Finished 14th out of 15th at the Nike Golf Collegiate Invitational.
- Field Hockey: Lost to Maryland 5-2
What's Happening This Week
- Women's Volleyball: Visits Northwestern Friday and No. 7 Illinois Saturday.
- Men's Soccer: Hosts Bowling Green Wednesday then travels to face Indiana Saturday.
- Women's Hockey: Visits No. 3 Wisconsin Saturday and Sunday.
- Fencing: Competes in October NAC in Richmond, Virginia this weekend.
- Men's Hockey: Opens season with a weekend home-and-home series with Bowling Green, playing in Columbus Friday and at Bowling Green Saturday.
- Women's Soccer: Hosts Purdue Thursday and Maryland Saturday.
- Field Hockey: Hosts Rutgers Friday afternoon.
