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.
Tennis Teams Punch Tickets
The Ohio State tennis teams dominated the weekend and earned a trip to the ITA Indoor National Championship next month. For the women's team, this is its second appearance all time and its first since 2001.
"This is a very special team that fights so incredibly hard for each other," said Ohio State women's tennis coach," Melissa Schaub. "To me, they are what college tennis is all about. They have been through a lot but everyone has stepped up big."
Led by freshman Francesca Di Lorenzo, who is ranked No. 2 in the ITA rankings after winning the ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championship in the fall, the No. 18 Buckeyes downed No. 22 TCU to clinch a spot in next month's championship.
The men's team had similar success, winning their kickoff event and also earning a spot in next month's ITA Indoor National Championship – an event the Buckeyes won in 2014.
Freshman Francesca Di Lorenzo after winning her national title in November (Picture via David Kenas Photography www.dkshots.com..
This season, Ty Tucker's squad is again loaded with talent and appears poised for a big year. Sophomore Mikael Torpegaard leads the team with a No. 7 national ranking followed closely by freshman Hugo Di Feo, ranked No. 10. The pair are joined by lone senior Chris Diaz at No. 19 and Herkko Pollanen at No. 25.
With four players in the top 25 – the most of any school –Ohio State currently sits at No. 9 in the nation and is the second highest ranked Big Ten team, behind Illinois at No. 7.
The Buckeyes saw a few streaks end last season, most notably the team's NCAA record 201 consecutive home match win streak, but a few still stand. This season, Ohio State is going for its 11th consecutive share of the Big Ten title and its 11th consecutive Sweet 16 birth.
Bucks in the MLS Draft
The Ohio State men's soccer team had a record-breaking 2015 season due to the play of two seniors – Chris Froschauer and Liam Doyle.
Froschauer transferred to Ohio State from Dayton for his senior season and quickly solidified himself as the team's top goalkeeper. Soon after, he was not only the team's best goalkeeper, but the Big Ten's as he was awarded the 2015 Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year.
Liam Doyle transferred to Ohio Sate following his two seasons at Cincinnati State, and he was an integral part of the team ever since. Doyle never missed a start in his two seasons at Ohio State and emerged as the team's top defensive player and set piece specialist. This season, his stellar play was recognized even further as he was awarded the 2015 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
In Tuesday's MLS draft, both Froschauer and Doyle were selected. Froshchauer was selected by the Colorado Rapids and Doyle will be heading to DC United.
With the 43rd overall pick of the 2016 @MLS #SuperDraft, the @ColoradoRapids select @cmoney__11. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/kQkWiZ2NLS
— OhioStateMen'sSoccer (@OhioState_MSOC) January 19, 2016
From the Isle of Man, U.K.... Welcome @LiamDoyle07 to the &! Read: https://t.co/RN5vohDCrX pic.twitter.com/iAgu3k72Y4
— D.C. United (@dcunited) January 19, 2016
This marks the first time an Ohio State player has been selected in the MLS draft since 2012. They pair join Roger Espinoza (Kansas City) and Matt Lampson (Columbus) as former Buckeyes in the MLS.
Other Scores and News
- Women's Basketball: Defeated Michigan 97-90 and Rutgers 67-68
- Men's Hockey: Split the series against No. 14 Penn State, losing in OT 3-2 and winning 5-1
- Women's Hockey: Tied Minnesota State 3-3 (won the shootout) then won 8-3
- Men's Volleyball: Swept Coker 3-0
- Men's Gymnastics: Finished second at Stanford Calif. tallying a 435.550
- Women's Gymnastics: Lost match at Iowa 196.325 -195.025
- Wrestling: Defeated Michigan State 33-9.
