COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a game which was an exhibition for one side and which counted for the other, the No. 16-ranked Ashland University women's soccer team lost at Ohio State, 3-0, on Sunday (Aug. 31) afternoon at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
The Buckeyes are 3-1-1 so far in 2025 thanks to a third consecutive victory. This is the second straight year AU and OSU have played in Columbus, with the 2024 game also ending in favor of the Buckeyes, 3-1.
"I thought this year, we definitely made it more competitive," said Ashland head
Cayleb Paulino. "Especially with the younger group, and having 14 (freshmen), and with the transfers, 17 new players, I thought we came out really, really well.
"A lot of growth from us from last week to this week. So I'm excited where we're at."
In the 2024 contest, the Buckeyes scored twice in the first 8:15. On Sunday, OSU's third attempt on the same possession – after hitting both a post and crossbar – resulted in a 1-0 lead thanks to a goal from Ava Bramblett in the 21
st minute. The assist went to Callie Tumilty.
"We frustrated them," Paulino said of the first half. "We were super-organized. We created some dangerous chances, we drew some corners."
The lead became 2-0 in the 52
nd minute following an Ohio State corner kick. Anika Poremba scored on a feed from Jadin Bonham. It became a 3-0 contest on a goal from Amanda Schlueter in the 59
th minute, on a Poremba assist.
CLEARING OUT THE NOTEBOOK
- Ohio State out-shot Ashland by a 13-3 count, and the Buckeyes took eight of the game's 11 corner kicks.
- Sunday was two days away from the 30th anniversary of AU women's soccer's first game in program history – a 2-1 overtime win at California (Pa.).
- In 2024, Ohio State played Ashland in what was the Buckeyes' first-ever game against an NCAA Division II side. The Eagles are OSU's lone D-II opponent again this season.
- Sunday's game was Senior Day for the Buckeyes.
- Ashland women's soccer was picked to repeat as Great Midwest Athletic Conference champion by league head coaches. Ohio State was slotted at No. 5 in the Big Ten preseason poll.
NEXT UP
The 2025 AU season-opener will be Thursday (Sept. 4) at 6:30 p.m. at Ferguson Field vs. No. 5 Grand Valley State.
"We wanted to make sure that we are prepared," Paulino said, "so playing the Ohio States of the world is going to allow us to figure out hey, what do we need to clean up before games start to really matter. And we start out with one of the best teams in the country, and we're excited for the chance."
On Saturday (Sept. 6) at 6:30 p.m. vs. Slippery Rock at Ferguson Field, the Eagles will attempt to break the NCAA Division II record for women's soccer attendance (3,227). More information on the game can be found
HERE.