Ohio State Dominates Ashland with Clinical 3-0 Victory
Buckeyes Control Both Halves as Bramblett, Poremba, and Schlueter Find Target in Columbus
COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio State delivered a commanding performance against Ashland on Saturday evening, triumphing 3-0 in a match that showcased the Buckeyes' attacking depth and defensive solidity at their home venue.
The hosts wasted little time establishing their authority, with defender Ava Bramblett breaking the deadlock in the 20th minute. Following sustained pressure that had already produced three corner kicks for Ohio State, Callie Tumilty provided the crucial assist as Bramblett fired past the Ashland goalkeeper with her right foot, tucking the ball into the bottom left corner.
The opener came after an intriguing sequence that saw Bramblett strike the woodwork twice in quick succession around the 20-minute mark, demonstrating the relentless pressure Ohio State maintained throughout the first period. The Buckeyes' territorial dominance was evident as they outshot their opponents 13-3 overall, with five efforts finding the target compared to Ashland's solitary attempt on goal.
Ashland's best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes arrived in the 17th minute when Karleigh Cress unleashed a shot that sailed high over the crossbar following a free kick routine. The Eagles managed to create some promising moments through set pieces, earning three corner kicks, but struggled to penetrate Ohio State's organized defensive structure.
The second half began with wholesale changes from both sides, as Ashland introduced goalkeeper Jaya Daniel in place of Izzy Ezzone. However, the personnel adjustments did little to alter the flow of the contest, with Ohio State continuing to dictate proceedings.
Anika Poremba doubled the advantage in the 51st minute, converting clinically from close range after excellent buildup play. Jadin Bonham provided the assist with a perfectly weighted pass, allowing Poremba to slot home with her right foot into the bottom center of the goal. The strike came immediately following a corner kick, highlighting Ohio State's ability to capitalize on set-piece situations.
Just seven minutes later, Amanda Schlueter effectively sealed the victory with a composed finish into the bottom left corner. Poremba turned provider this time, setting up Schlueter for her second goal of the evening. The rapid-fire combination demonstrated the Buckeyes' clinical edge in the final third, converting their territorial superiority into a commanding scoreline.
Ashland's frustrations mounted as the match progressed, with the Eagles managing just one shot on target throughout the entire contest. Their best effort came in the 61st minute when Audrey Kalmar forced a save from Ohio State goalkeeper Molly Pritchard, but the attempt represented a rare bright spot in an otherwise difficult afternoon for the visitors.
The statistical disparity told the story of Ohio State's dominance. The Buckeyes registered 13 shots to Ashland's three, while also edging the corner kick count 5-3. Ohio State's possession-based approach allowed them to control tempo and create numerous scoring opportunities, with Pritchard rarely tested between the posts.
Both teams utilized their full rosters extensively, with Ohio State making numerous substitutions to manage player minutes while maintaining their tactical structure. The depth of the Buckeyes' squad was evident as fresh legs continued to press forward, never allowing Ashland to establish any sustained attacking rhythm.
The victory showcased Ohio State's balanced approach, combining defensive stability with clinical finishing when opportunities arose. Their ability to convert pressure into goals, particularly through set-piece situations, proved decisive against an Ashland side that struggled to create clear-cut chances throughout the 90 minutes.
Key Players
- Anika Poremba (Ohio State) - Registered one goal and one assist, completing an excellent all-around performance with two shots on target - Ava Bramblett (Ohio State) - Opened the scoring with a well-taken finish and consistently threatened with three total shots despite picking up a yellow card - Jaya Daniel (Ashland) - Made several crucial saves after entering at halftime, preventing a more lopsided scoreline