Tiger Tracker: Tiger Battles Back from Early Round Woes to Finish Even on the Day

Tiger Woods entered the 2018 Memorial Tournament as one of the biggest names in the field, seeking to make a comeback to golf much like his 2012 Memorial victory. Woods is a 5-time Memorial champion, and in the past made a habit of dominating the Muirfield Village course. Woods started his round on the 10th, and struggled early on to control his shot off the tee, finding the rough or fairway bunkers on 3 of his first 4 holes.

On the 11th hole Woods elected to go with a 2-iron in an effort to control the tee shot, and in the end found the rough to the left of the water hazard running along the fairway. When asked if he had ever hit a shot from left of the hazard, Woods said, “Unfortunately, many times, actually. Yeah, but usually it’s driver, trying to drive it in the neck. I’ve hit it left over there. Not with a 2-iron.”

Woods seemed to have his short irons and wedges locked in all day, but struggled to gain any control over his long irons or fairway woods. By the time Woods was through 6 holes, he was 4 over. It was apparent throughout the round that Woods was struggling to get his back loose, and that its stiffness was affecting his play.

“My back is fused,” Woods said. “I’m going to have days where it’s just tight. Unfortunately, today was one of those days and that’s all right. I don’t have any pain, thank God. It’s just tight. So, no biggy.”

Although Woods struggled to consistently strike the ball, he had the moments of brilliance that captivated his fans throughout his career. On the 10th and 13th holes he had shots out of fairway bunkers that seemed to leave him in a punch out situation with the lip of the bunker ten feet high. In both situations, he blasted out and landed the ball on the green.

By the second half of his round Woods was making more quality shots than not, and was working back down from the 4 over score he quickly set. Back-to-back-to-back birdies on the 5th, 6th, and 7th holes allowed Woods to get back to even on the day and put himself back into contention early. Pars on the final two holes of his round left him even on the day, and level on a day of roller coaster like ups and downs. Woods was happy with his ability to fight back after a dismal start.

“I didn’t really have much starting out. Didn’t really feel my swing very well and consequently I hit it both ways, mainly left,” Woods said. “I wasn’t rotating very well. Kind of made a few tweaks, a few changes, made a couple birdies, made a couple putts and lo and behold I finished at even par, which I know it’s a long way back, but at least I’ve got a fighting chance.”

Men’s Hockey: Freddy Gerard pursuing his dream starting for Ohio State

Ohio State junior forward Freddy Gerard didn’t come from a hockey-crazed town. That didn’t stop him from chasing his dream.

Gerard grew up in Rocky River, Ohio, a small town in the Cleveland area.

“It’s a good crowd of kids that grew up playing in the area. They had an triple-A organization that I was fortunate to be able to grow up playing in,” Gerard said. “My brother and I played there for well over 10 years. That led us into the junior hockey route and led us both to playing in college.”

His path to Ohio State was not a simple recruiting process, and required him to travel to play on a team to get him more exposure. Gerard got recruited to play junior hockey in Boston, where he spent two years.

Gerard said while in Boston, he was not recruited the way he envisioned, and ultimately decided to play with his brother in the United States Hockey League in Madison, Wisconsin.

Although Gerard didn’t find the spotlight he was looking for when he left for Boston, that changed when he moved to Madison to play in the USHL in 2014-15. It was clear early on Gerard was one of the best players on the team after he finished the season second on the team in points. He not only led the Madison Capitols in the stat sheet, but he also was a leader off the ice for the team. He began the season as an alternate captain before being promoted during the season to captain. At the end of the season, his teammates voted him as the MVP of the team.

Around 12 games into the season he was approached by Ohio State coaches after a game. Shortly thereafter, he was offered a spot on the roster.

“At that point, it was kind of a no-brainer,” Gerard said. “I grew up playing in Cleveland, it’s my home state and it’s nice being close to home. It’s also a great university with a lot of resources for academics. The hockey team is pretty spoiled, we get everything we could ever want.”

When he arrived in Columbus, it was, as expected, a shift from the USHL.

Despite the experience gained in the junior hockey league, Gerard said the combination of the on-ice and off-the-ice changes joining a collegiate hockey team required plenty of adjusting.

“The game is played a little quicker,” he said. “Guys are bigger and stronger, and you’re the underclassman on the team. You have to deal with sitting out some games and not playing the high minutes you were used to growing up and being one of the better guys on your team.”

Becoming part of the team and taking the time to dedicate himself to becoming a better hockey player would prove a challenge, but one Gerard was willing to face.

“That was tough. It’s helped shape me into the player that I’ve started to become today,” Gerard said. “Now that I’m into my junior year, I’m starting to play more minutes and have more responsibility on the team playing a bigger role. It’s all starting to come together and I’m really starting to feel like my I’m playing well here and I’m finding my spot on the team as an accountable player.”

The Buckeyes (8-4-4, 3-4-1-0 Big Ten) have benefited from Gerard’s increased role. He is the fifth-leading point-scorer on Ohio State with four goals and four assists.

His efforts were best exemplified in a game against Michigan in Ann Arbor, in which he scored the game-tying and game-winning goals back-to-back.

“That’s something you dream about. In any sport, you want to play in the big games, score the big goals. The Ohio State versus Michigan rivalry is something that’s been talked about for years,” Gerard said. “Going up there and doing that is special. I never thought something like that would happen. It all happened pretty quick, after the game I was one happy kid in that locker room.”

Beating Michigan and finding his footing as a strong player has been exciting for Gerard, and he looks to carry that momentum into the rest of the season.

“I’m not going to look too much into it or change too much of what I’m doing. I don’t want to overthink everything,” Gerard said. “Hopefully we can run towards a Big Ten championship and get a chance to play in the tournament again. Hopefully run for a national title.”

Women’s Soccer: Ohio State beats Michigan State 1-0 in double overtime

It took two overtimes, but the Ohio State women’s soccer team (10-2-1, 5-1-0 Big Ten) defeated the Michigan State Spartans (5-9-0, 1-6-0 Big Ten) 1-0 Friday night at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

The Buckeye fans packing the stands finally got their chance to cheer in the 100th minute as a cross from freshman defender Izzy Rodriguez found senior midfielder Nikki Walts, who smashed the ball along the ground, driving it into the right side of the net to give her team the win.

“It was a great feeling,” Walts said. “I think just for the fact that we dominated a lot of the game and didn’t get our chances, so when we finally did off of that beautiful cross by Izzy and it went in … It was so exciting. We deserved it.”

Ohio State spent the first overtime pushing the ball deep into Michigan State territory, not content to take a draw in the Big Ten matchup. But the Buckeyes couldn’t capitalize on any of its chances in the 10-minute period as the Spartans held strong.

There was a thick tension in the stands as the second overtime began as many former Buckeyes players returned for alumni night and were anxiously hoping for a reason to rise from their seats.

Walts’ game-winner turned the anxiety into jubilation as Ohio State launched itself into first place in the conference with the victory.

Both teams spent the first few minutes of the match looking for a quick goal, as they pushed the ball to the end line and sent crosses into the box without much resistance. Ohio State then looked to take control of the game as it maintained possession on the Michigan State half of the field for the next 10 minutes.

Michigan State responded with two quick attacks that were handled by the Ohio State defense. The Spartans struggled to get the ball back to midfield for the remainder of the half.

As the Spartan defense labored, Ohio State maintained pressure on the Michigan State goal, earning multiple shots on goal in its search to put the Spartans away early. Headers in the 37th and 39th minute by senior defender Morgan Wolcott placed pressure on goalkeeper Savanna Wojtanowski, but didn’t result in a goal for the Buckeyes.

“We got a little frustrated with not being able to score. We talked about staying calm and collected as a team and our time will come, and just focusing on what we do best which is getting end-line and getting the ball across to get a goal.” Walts said.

The offensive pace continued in the second half with an added dose of physicality, and as the game wore on, added tension.

“When we saw someone getting frustrated just letting them know ‘Hey, calm down. Your time is coming,’” Walts said. “Just get them back with your soccer, I think our team really showed that.”

Michigan State built some momentum in the offensive zone before Ohio State regained possession and held onto the ball for much of the remainder of the half, preventing any additional major scoring threats from the Spartans.

The Buckeyes earned seven corners compared to Michigan State’s two.

Ohio State next faces off against Michigan Sunday at noon at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

Women’s Soccer: Ohio State upsets No. 6 Penn State 1-0

The Ohio State Buckeyes women’s soccer team (9-2-1, 4-1-0 Big Ten) upset the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions (7-3-1, 3-1-1) 1-0 Saturday night at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, earning the team’s first victory over Penn State in seven years.

The pressing attack of the Ohio State offense finally paid off at the 74th minute when a cross from sophomore defender Marike Mousset landed in the center of the box to be struck into the back of the net just inside the right goalpost by senior forward, Sammy Edwards. The goal proved enough to earn a victory in the hard-fought match.

“It honestly is the best feeling right now,” junior goalie Devon Kerr said of the win. “I even said to my team that I’m on such a high because we played from minute to minute and did not give up the entire time, and it clearly spoke on the field. I’m just so proud of our team and the outcome we got here tonight.”

The talent of the top two teams in the Big Ten was apparent as they each opened the game with patient ball-handling to feel out the opposing defense. Possession was steady and changed hands every few minutes as the teams equally shared the ball as they both waited for an opportunity to strike.

The Buckeyes had an early cross dribble across the box two yards from the Penn State goal line that came close to breaking the scoreless tie, but the Ohio State offense was unable to capitalize as the ball rolled away from the net untouched.

Penn State battled back in the 24th minute as senior forward Megan Schafer dribbled the ball past the Ohio State defense and struck a hard shot from eight yards out, but it was saved by Kerr.

The Nittany Lions earned another opportunity in the 36th minute as sophomore midfielder Laura Freigang sent a powerful shot that was blocked by Buckeye defenders.

The teams spent the rest of the half trading extended possessions and meticulous attacks as both defenses stifled any further attempts to attack the goal. Both teams played at the top of their game in a half well managed by each side.

The second half started off with a much quicker pace than the first, with both sides executing more aggressive attacks. Both of the teams had passing inside five yards of the goal within the first 10 minutes, only to end up being cleared to the midfield by defenders.

Penn State earned a close shot from junior midfielder Marissa Sheva in the 53rd minute that sailed over the bar as they looked to start an attack.

Its attack was quickly met with a Buckeye counterstrike in the 68th minute, where a high cross from 20 yards out was saved and held in a huge collision between Penn State junior goalie Rose Chandler and Edwards.

Ohio State spent the rest of the game holding off an extremely aggressive Penn State attack with Kerr making save after save, backing up her Big Ten defensive player of the week honors. The game came down to the last minute, as the Buckeyes were able to bend, but not break under the pressure of the Nittany Lion attack.

“These clean sheets are not just me. It’s my team helping with the no-shot mentality and making sure shots can’t come off the other team’s foot,” said Kerr. “When the shot’s coming on net, I just try to stay as focused and engaged as I can. Hopefully I can hold the ball or at least do something to get it out of the game of play.”

The Ohio State women’s soccer team next faces off against Michigan State at home on Friday at 5 p.m.

Women’s soccer: Ohio State loses 1-0 to Northwestern, drops first Big Ten game

The Northwestern Wildcats Women’s Soccer team improved to 4-4-1 on the season as it defeated Ohio State (6-2-1, 1-1) Sunday afternoon at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

In the 37th minute, a corner from Wildcat junior midfielder Marisa Viggiano found the head of junior defender Kayla Sharples, who drilled the ball over the right shoulder of Ohio State junior goalkeeper Devon Kerr and into the back of the net to give the Wildcats the 1-0 lead. The Buckeyes could not find an answer for Northwestern’s fast-paced attack.

The game ended with both teams having nine shots on goal and three saves by each goalie. Ohio State earned seven corners to Northwestern’s two, but was unable to capitalize on their opportunities.

The Buckeyes fell to 0-2 when the opponent scores first. The loss was Ohio State’s second this season and first in conference play.

It was a series of quick drives and changes of possession for the first 10 minutes of the game as both teams sought to find a rhythm early.

Wildcat freshman midfielder Kylie Fisher was the first player to provide action as she blasted a chest-high shot at  Kerr, who was able to successfully hold onto the shot for her first save of the day.

The Buckeyes began their push in the 20th minute, earning themselves a series of dangerous crosses that kept forcing Wildcat goalie Lauren Clem to punch the ball to safety. Northwestern responded by slowing its play in an effort to control the ball, and successfully kept possession, even through the first half.

Wildcat senior forward Maria Fayeulle controlled the ball at the top of the box in the 29th minute, evading defenders and threatening the goal before being stripped of the ball in the middle of the box and losing possession of the ball.

A quality cross for Northwestern came from freshman forward Nia Harris in the 33rd minute, forcing Kerr to drop to her knees and punch the ball upward in an effort to keep the game scoreless. Buckeye senior midfielder Nikki Walts then cleared the ball from continuing to dangerously float across the zone.

The Buckeyes responded with a quick offensive push earning a corner from Walts, but struggled to maintain possession for the rest of the half as they trailed going into halftime.

The Buckeyes went to the locker room searching for energy after being outshot 7-1 in the first half, showing their eagerness to improve as they came out of the locker room early for warm-ups.

“We were just disappointed in what we put in the first half and knew that our backs were against the wall, we only had the second half to put in a goal and we fell short unfortunately,” senior defender Morgan Wolcott said. “We just kind of went back and looked at our basics and talked up a game-plan to get after it in the second half.”

Ohio State spent the first 25 minutes of the second half on a constant push towards the goal resulting in several corner kicks, but was unable to capitalize on any of the crosses as they all floated across the box.

The Buckeyes were finally able to get two quality shots on goal in the 71st minute, challenging Northwestern senior goalie Lauren Clem as a shot off of a cross lead to a rebound shot that she was able to hold onto.

Tension built in the stands as the final 15 minutes of the game approached, home fans knowing the Buckeyes would need to score soon if they wanted to pull out a victory.

The Buckeyes made a strong push in the last 10 minutes as Wolcott danced her way around defenders on her way to a blasted shot inside the box that would be saved by the block of two Wildcats. The team then began a frantic push towards the end line, knowing its opportunity to even the game was quickly running out.

The air seemingly left the stadium as sophomore forward Meghan Kammerdeiner sent a last second prayer from 30 yards out that failed to connect, ending the hard fought game.

“If we face them again, we’re going to want to have a better result. If we would’ve played the first half the same way we did in the second then it would’ve been a different game,” Wolcott said..

The Ohio State women’s soccer team next faces off against Nebraska Friday in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Women’s Soccer: Ohio State outlasts, defeats Western Michigan Broncos 2-0

The Ohio State women’s soccer team (3-0-1) earned its second straight home win with a 2-0 victory over Western Michigan (2-1) at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium Friday night. Goals from forwards Meghan Kammerdeiner and Marissa Birzon propelled the team to victory.

The game started off with a frantic pace, leading to many changes of possession in the center of the pitch. Forward Sammy Edwards provided the only early excitement five minutes into the game, forcing Western Michigan goalie Stephanie Heber to make a full extension save.

The Buckeye offense found its footing 10 minutes into the game, applying pressure on the Western Michigan defense throughout the first half with sound passing and a frenzy of through balls and corners.Even when the Broncos moved the ball to midfield, the Buckeyes quickly regained possession, dominating possession in an effort to make Western Michigan midfielder Grace Labadie’s early shot the only one on goal.

“Our team works really hard with the no-shot mentality”, said goalie Devon Kerr earlier this week. “Clean sheets are like really important for us this year, so that’s been huge.”

The Western Michigan Broncos managed another shot by the end of the half, but were outshot by the Buckeyes 12-2 in the half. Ohio State also earned three corners, compared to Western Michigan’s zero.

The teams went into halftime in a 0-0 draw, hoping the warmth of the locker rooms would provide a needed energy boost on the cold night.

There was a visible adjustment period to the 30-degree weather drop this morning as the Buckeyes came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders to kick off the second half.

“We have this saying called, ‘Control the controllable,'” Kammerdeinger said. “We don’t have control of the weather obviously, so we’re going to come in and take care of business of what we do have.”

The second half started much like the end of the first, with the Buckeyes holding possession and earning a quick corner kick. The Broncos started a strong push 20 minutes into the half, earning a quality shot on goal and their first corner. The Buckeyes struggled to manage the corner, leading to another shot, which left the ball helplessly bouncing in front of the net until goalie Devon Kerr managed to gain control.

Western Michigan continued to press over the next 15 minutes, applying steady pressure on the Buckeyes’ defense and doubling up their shot total in a matter of minutes.

Ohio State responded by pushing the ball hard to the end line, earning a series of crosses culminating in a goal in the 69th minute from Kammerdeiner. Midfielder Nikki Walts provided the perfect cross landing the ball softly in the box for Kammerdeiner to finish it home and give the Buckeyes a 1-0 lead.

“What helped us a lot, was that we have a lot of variety,” Kammerdeiner said earlier this week. “We have players that are able to play different types of balls and behind, get end line and change it up based on what the defense is showing us, and we can do that on the fly which has helped us a lot.”

This versatility of the team proved fruitful in keeping the ball on the Western Michigan end the majority of the match, eventually leading to a Kammerdeiner score.

The Buckeyes didn’t take long to add to their lead. Defender Izzy Rodriguez showed a bit of her ability to play the whole field in sending a curving cross landing right at the feet of forward Marissa Birzon. Birzon then chipped the ball high over goalie Stephanie Heber, who could only get her fingertips on the ball as it spun into the goal to give Ohio State a 2-0 lead.

After the game Kammerdeiner said the versatility of the team she talked about earlier in the week helped lead to Friday’s win.

“I think it’s just amazing how much depth we have on our team,” Kammerdeiner said. “We can have these freshman come in against everyone else’s rest and they’re just as good as us. They’re pushing us everyday to get better, and it really drives our team forward.”

Although the Buckeyes held a comfortable lead, they continued to apply the pressure through the end of the match. Never appearing satisfied with the lead they held, Ohio State continued racking up shots and opportunities while trying to complete the clean sheet the team has placed such high value on.

Ohio State outshot Western Michigan 19-7 and allowed just four shots to reach Kerr in net. The team has yet to allow a goal since the 30th minute of their opening match against Arizona State, making it 330 minutes since an opponent has scored.

The Buckeyes’ next game is against South Florida Saturday at 6 p.m. at Bert L. & Iris S. Wolstein Field at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.