COLUMBUS, Ohio – Konrad Warzycha scored the game-winner in the 97th minute as the No. 16-ranked Ohio State men’s soccer team outlasted Valparaiso, 1-0, in overtime Sunday afternoon at a beautifully sun-soaked Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. The Buckeyes improve to 7-4-2 on the season with their sixth shutout of the year, while the Crusaders drop to 6-6-2 overall.

“We needed a good result today to stop the bleeding from the two losses last week,” John Bluem, Ohio State head coach said after the match. “The guys are happy now, and we’re relieved. This is good for us, going into an important conference match at Penn State.”

The Buckeyes dominated time of possession from the get-go, but had trouble converting on their opportunities until late in the first overtime period. From near the top center of the goal box, Parnell Hegngi played Warzycha the ball out along the left side and the senior captain stuffed inside the near post from about six yards out for his team-leading fifth goal of the year.

With the assist, Hegngi earned his first point as a Buckeye after transferring to Ohio State as a junior to join younger brother Chris, a sophomore and the team’s second leading scorer. The Hegngi-Warzycha goal also ended an OSU scoring draught that dated back to last Sunday’s match with Northwestern, a stretch of nearly 197 game minutes.

The Buckeyes produced several chances to get on the board earlier, as nine players attempted shots Sunday vs. the Crusaders, including a game-high five from sophomore Austin McAnena and four by senior captain Sam Scales. Of Scales’ four attempts, he put two on goal and the other two just wide of the frame, including a blast at the end of regulation that sailed just high over the crossbar.

“We had a lot of possession, which created lots of chances for us,” Bluem said. “That also put a lot of pressure on our defense. I think we were the better team, but they were well organized and put up a fight.”

Ohio State ended the day with a 23-12 advantage in shots and a 9-5 positive margin in corner kicks. Matt Lampson earned four saves in goal, while the Crusader goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck tallied eight, including five in the second half.

This is its first win in overtime of the 2010 season after previously battling Louisville (0-0) and Akron (2-2) to draws.

The Buckeyes travel to University Park, Pa., next weekend for a 3 p.m. game Saturday, Oct. 23 vs. Penn State. The Nittany Lions are 8-4-1 on the season, 1-2-1 in the Big Ten after tying Northwestern, 1-1, earlier Sunday. They will face UMBC Wednesday before facing the Buckeyes.