Most of the first half was spent in the middle of the pitch, both teams looking for an inch of space and not finding it. MSU struggled early on to have any opportunities materialize.

“It was a matter of not coming out with the intensity and urgency we needed,” Head Coach Jeff Hosler said post-match. “We were really timid and casual going forward in the first half.” 

In a counterintuitive fashion, the Buckeyes were the team to break the deadlock a minute before the end of the first half. Junior midfielder Berkley Mape scored a header on a free kick in the 44th minute off of a delivery by Nette-Nina Hiltunen. 

Although statistically unlikely at a glance, the goal was perfectly in tune to the balance of play. While MSU maintained 56.4% possession throughout the first half, almost all of the focus was on attacking. In facing such a defensively solid team, it could have served the Spartans better to lay low and rely on the breakaways that have proven to be fruitful so far in their season.

A pattern that is becoming increasingly clear is MSU’s proficiency against high-scoring teams – wins over Wisconsin, Minnesota, and USC prove that the Spartans can outscore the best teams in front of goal – whereas MSU’s less favorable Big Ten results all come from teams that struggle to score as much (Rutgers, UCLA, and Ohio State). This suggests that the Spartans thrive when set up defensively, their cautious tactics inadvertently improving their attacking shape while maintaining defensive solidity. 

With no tie to maintain, the Spartans were in full attacking mode as they started the second half. When MSU was attacking, the Buckeyes fell back into an airtight defensive formation that allowed few opportunities for the Spartans to make an impact. On the other hand, when OSU was attacking, the Spartans were slow to collapse on the ball. 

Bella Najera put MSU back in the game in the 62nd minute with a powerful shot into the temporarily open net, finding the rebound off of Emerson Sargeant’s shot that hit the post. “There were a lot of numbers (in the box) and it just came to me. I knew I just had to hit it hard on frame and it went back of the net.”

Once the game was back on level terms, both teams found space to maneuver where there previously was none. This largely benefitted the Spartans more than the Buckeyes, parking themselves within Ohio State’s defensive area and finding countless near opportunities. This brought MSU back to its early season woes, bringing up questions of shot productivity. 

“It takes some of those extra chances – more quantity of chances – to try and find options.” Hosler said. With these extra chances, however, MSU should have been able to find at least one more goal. “We’ve got to be really good at breaking down that lower block shape, having better spacing, recognizing where we can go and we have to be way better on flank play.”

The Spartans had 22 shots, compared to their average of 14.5, only seven of which were on target. When facing the most unrelenting defense in the Big Ten, this number of shots is a testament to the creativity and drive of MSU’s players, but shot productivity is a glaring area of improvement. In contrast, Ohio State recorded seven shots, with the only one on target, finding the back of the net. OSU’s Pritchard had to make six saves, while MSU freshman goalkeeper Noelle Henning made none. 

This game was MSU’s opportunity to take the top of the Big Ten table as UCLA fell to Washington 0-1. Washington now leads the league with 14 points, UCLA behind them on 13 and MSU tied with USC in third with 12. “We really needed the three points,” Najera said. “It was a hard game.”

The Spartans will next take on the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, October 9 at 7 p.m .