Buckeyes Beat Dayton 4-2 on PK's, Advance to Sweet 16 for First Time Since 2004

For the first time since 2004, the Ohio State Women's Soccer program will be advancing to the sweet sixteen round of the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer championship. Just like last Friday, the Buckeyes needed extra time to secure a victory, beating the Dayton Flyers 4-2 on penalty kicks.

It was a very hard-fought and physical match between the Flyers and the Buckeyes. In the 30th minute of play, Buckeye sophomore Tiffany Cameron tried a cross to junior forward Lauren Granberg. Granberg's shot unfortunately missed wide right of the far post. Granberg had another scoring opportunity five minutes later as she attempted to head in a shot from six yards out off of a perfect cross from Liz Sullivan, but that shot fell into the arms of Dayton goalkeeper Lisa Rodgers.

In the 65th minute, Paige Maxwell tried to drill a header from inside the 6 yard box, but Rodgers made a terrific save off the end line to rob Maxwell of a goal. In the 75th minute, Kristen Niederhaus made a perfect cross to Cameron on the far post. Cameron attempted a header that deflected off of the far post and into the arms of Rodgers.

The game would then go into overtime. With less than two minutes to play in the first overtime, Aly Walker had a shot that was blocked by a Dayton defender. After a mad scramble for possession, Danica Wu attempted a shot from 6 yards out, but Rodgers made yet another great save to deny the Ohio State scoring opportunity.

After a scoreless first and second overtime, the game went into penalty kicks. Both teams made their first two penalty kicks. Colleen Brady then made a third penalty kick for Ohio State. Dayton's Nicole Peterson then missed wide right on her shot attempt. Courtney Jenkins made her penalty kick soon after and Buckeye goalkeeper Katie Baumgardner made a diving save to her right on Juliana Libertin's penalty kick to seal the win for Ohio State.

With the win, No. 3 seed Ohio State will travel to Charlottesville,Virginia to take on the No. 2 seed Virginia Cavaliers in the round of sixteen next weekend.