Ohio State showed the MSU field hockey team why it deserves its No. 10 ranking.

The Buckeyes made a late-game push, but the No. 6 Spartans were able to hold on, beating Ohio State 2-1 Saturday at Spartan Stadium.

The two teams are now tied for first in the Big Ten, each with one game remaining on the schedule.

The Spartans (14-4, 4-1 Big Ten) took control of the game in the first half, keeping the ball in Ohio State territory for much of the half.

MSU put its first point on the board only seven minutes into the half on a penalty corner.

Sophomore midfielder Alexandra Kyser took the pass from freshman midfielder Annebet Beerman and sent it past the goalkeeper.

“We knew we were going to want to score the first corner because then we could play more loose,” Beerman said. “So we had already planned the corner out, actually.”

The Spartans continued to dominate the first half, posting seven shots and allowing none from the Buckeyes (11-4, 4-1).

The second half began as the first, with MSU continuing to press the Ohio State defense.

Beerman scored the Spartans’ second goal nine minutes into the second half, assisted by freshman back Judith van Haeringen.

But with 10 minutes left in the game the momentum shifted, and Ohio State began pushing the Spartan defense.

After a Buckeye penalty corner, midfielder Marije van Nouhuys dribbled the ball past a defender and sent it into the goal.

Ohio State kept the pressure on, racking up seven shots in the half, but senior forward Bridget Cooper said she never worried.

“You get a little worried, but I have faith in everyone on that field, so I’m confident with everyone and I believe in everyone,” Cooper said.

With the win, the Spartans earned a share of first place in the Big Ten with one game remaining, though head coach Michele Madison said the real goal is reaching the national tournament.

“Because your Big Ten teams are all ranked in the top 20