Ohio State Aims for Statement Win Against Memphis
The lights will be on and the stakes will feel bigger than the calendar suggests Sunday night at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
Ohio State, unbeaten and climbing, welcomes Memphis in a matchup that carries the weight of more than just a non-conference finale. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Columbus, with the game streamed on B1G+. Admission and parking, as always for Buckeye women’s soccer, are free. The opportunity to make a statement is priceless.
Buckeyes Rolling, Ranking Rising
Ohio State enters at 3-0-1, fresh off a ruthless 4-0 dismantling of Princeton at home. It wasn’t just a win; it was the kind of performance that announces a team’s intent.
Mia Stevens opened her collegiate account in that game, finishing calmly after a sharp pass from Callie Tumilty. It was the sort of composed strike that hints at more to come.
The tone, though, had been set almost immediately. In the very first minute, Amanda Schlueter struck to put Princeton on the back foot. She would close the show as well, converting a penalty in the final minute to complete a brace that bookended the night. From whistle to whistle, Schlueter’s fingerprints were all over the contest.
In between, the Buckeyes’ attack moved with purpose. Jadin Bonham orchestrated from deeper areas and wide spaces, collecting two assists—one on Schlueter’s opener and another on Elle Britt’s goal. Every time Ohio State surged forward, Princeton looked stretched.
Behind that attacking flair sits a defense that has quietly become just as imposing. Goalkeeper Peighton Northrup recorded the third shutout of her career, needing only two saves thanks to a back line that suffocated Princeton’s options. Just two shots on goal were allowed, a testament to shape, discipline, and an understanding of the moment.
Northrup’s form has not gone unnoticed. She was named B1G Goalkeeper of the Week last week, recognition that reflects both her shot-stopping and her command of the penalty area. With the Buckeyes now ranked No. 8 in the coaches poll—their highest spot since October 2024—every clean sheet adds to a growing sense that this group is built for more than early-season headlines.
Memphis Brings Edge and History
Memphis arrives at 2-2-1, but the record doesn’t tell the full story. The Tigers are the lone American Conference representative in the IWSOC Coaches’ Poll Top 25, a sign of respect earned over years of punching above their weight.
They also carry a recent edge in this matchup. The last time these two programs met, in 2023, Memphis walked away with the win. That result still lingers. For Ohio State, Sunday is a chance to even the score and close non-conference play with a measure of revenge.
The Buckeyes have held their own against American Conference opposition historically, going 2-1-1 against teams currently in the league. Memphis, though, is a different kind of test—organized, physical, and comfortable in big moments.
Last Tune-Up Before the Grind
This is Ohio State’s final non-conference game, and that timing matters. The Buckeyes have built momentum, climbed into the top 10, and sharpened their attack. Now they face a Memphis side with pedigree, ranking, and nothing to fear on the road.
Ohio State’s program history includes 47 wins over top-25 opponents. Another one on Sunday would not only close out this phase of the schedule with authority, it would send the Buckeyes charging into conference play with their highest ranking in nearly two years and a fresh reminder of what they can do against ranked opposition.
A top-10 team, a free night out in Columbus, a visiting side that’s beaten them before. For Ohio State, this isn’t just another early-September fixture. It’s a chance to show whether this hot start is the foundation of something bigger—or just the opening act.
