Against DePaul, the Ohio State Buckeyes men's soccer team found a way to produce two consecutive victories for the first time this season.
The win improved the Scarlet & Gray's record to 3-3-1, with one non-conference matchup - against Louisville - still remaining.
Their 2-1 win over the Blue Demons on Friday evening was arguably their most complete performance of the season: solid defensive play in both halves, coupled with some composed finishing produced a scoreline that honestly could've been wider.
The goalkeeper position was once again filled by Alex Wimmer, who had started the second game of the team's doubleheader in San Diego the weekend before. The junior netminder was making his fourth start overall, and looked comfortable through the entirety of the game.
His attackers were lively from the start: freshman forward Louie Berra started up front, giving the Buckeyes a great deal of incisive play and possession. The rookie's performances this year have always impressed, especially his ability to control and distribute the ball in tight areas.
But when he found some space in the penalty box, he took his opportunity with the utmost precision. After the ball came out to Austin McAnena on the outside of the eighteen, the Buckeye captain spotted the far post run of Berra, and his slide-rule pass was controlled by the youngster and smoothly driven past the goalkeeper Eric Sorby.
Berra found himself on the scoresheet for the second game running, and Ohio State went into the break handily in front of DePaul when it came to possession, but only one ahead when it came to the score.
But the second half proved to be more of the same, with Ohio State's central midfield partnership of Zach Mason and Brady Wahl performing with a combined solidity.
Though neither of them could particularly handle the Blue Demon's Antonio Aguilar, a silky center midfielder whose precise control took him past most of the defenders he came up against. For all the number six's fine contributions in open play, it was his set piece shooting that let him down. There were many times in the match where he stood over an inviting opportunity and duly smacked the ball well over Wimmer's goal.
After some increased pressure from the visitors, the Buckeyes finally finished them off. With less than a minute to go, Blue Demon goalkeeper Sorby was drawn out to confront Chris Hegngi's run in the box. The senior forward calmly dribbling around him, and looked up in time to find his fellow striker Kenny Cunningham, who slammed the ball home to wrap the game up for Ohio State.
A goal with only one second left from DePaul's Thiago Ganancio was merely a footnote overall, and the home team could celebrate for the second game running.
The Buckeyes travel to perennial power Louisville on Tuesday, and if they can find a way to beat the Cardinals and keep this winning streak alive, they will know that they'll be the form team once Big Ten play opens up.
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