Ohio State women fall to Oregon State in NCAA first round

COLUMBUS, Ohio - No. 15 Ohio State dropped a 3-1 decision to Oregon State in the first round of the NCAA tournament Friday evening at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

With the loss, the Buckeyes' season ends after posting a 14-4-2 record and a program best 7-2-1 record in Big Ten play.

In an evenly-matched first half, the Buckeyes struck first when Lauren Granberg's cross deflected off an Oregon State defender and into the net for an own goal to put Ohio State up 1-0 in the 19th minute.

Less than eight minutes later, Caitlyn Martin had a chance to extend the lead but her volley from the left wing sailed wide right.

The Beavers would answer back in the 28th minute when Courtney Wetzel drilled a free kick from 25 yards out that deflected of Buckeye goalkeeper Lauren Robertson's hand and into the back of the net to draw even at one goal apiece.

Ohio State almost took the lead in the 36th minute when Courtney Jenkins nailed a volley from 20 yards out but Oregon State keeper Colleen Boyd was able to make the diving save. Less than a minute later, the Beavers were able to capitalize when Melissa Peck lofted a shot from the right wing over Robertson to give Oregon State the 2-1 leading heading into the half.

Oregon State outshot the Buckeyes 6-4 and held a 2-1 advantage in corner kicks in the first half. It marked the third time Ohio State was down at the half all season.

The Beavers were able to extend the lead to 3-1 in the 60th minute when Jessica Velazquez deflected home a bending corner from Wetzel. The Buckeyes were unable to muster many chances the rest of the way as they suffered just their second defeat at home in 2009.

For the game, the Buckeyes were outshot 10-9. It was the second time all season the Buckeyes were outshot.

The Beavers advance to the second round to take on Florida at 1 p.m. Sunday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.