Northwestern dropped its third Big Ten game and its fourth straight, losing to Ohio State 3-0 Friday afternoon in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes converted two penalty corners and capitalized on a second-half penalty stroke, dropping NU to 4-8 overall and 0-3 in the Big Ten. OSU improved to 5-7, 1- 2.

The game started as a back-and-forth battle, with neither team taking control of the momentum. Ohio State had a sizable advantage in the first-half penalty corner tally, breaking through on its ninth try. Mariana Solorzano converted the corner, putting OSU up 1-0, heading into the break.

In the second half, NU came out and recorded more penalty corners than the Buckeyes (5-2), but could not convert, missing on all five of its second-half chances. Ohio State on the other hand, had just two corner chances in the second half, making good on one of those opportunities. It was Solorzano again, scoring OSU's second goal in the 41st minute of play.

The Buckeyes would score an insurance goal when the referee awarded a penalty stroke late in the second half. Vanessa Immordino ended the scoring with her eighth goal of the season.

Junior midfielder Katie Walshauser (Wildwood, Mo./St. Joseph's Academy) recorded all three shots NU had in the game, all on goal. It was Walshauser's fourth game back after a preseason injury.

Senior Kendra Mesa (Madison, Conn./Daniel Hand) saved three shots in her third start of the season.

The 'Cats are back in action on Sunday, taking on Ohio University in Athens, Ohio at noon.

Senior captain Stacy Spenser played the center midfield position for the first time this season

Box score - <a href="http://nusports.ocsn.com/sports/w-fieldh/stats/101102aaa.html" target="_blank">http://nusports.ocsn.com/sports/w-fieldh/stats/101102aaa.html</a>