Ohio State forward Jadin Bonham (9) takes a shot on goal. The Buckeyes beat Penn State 1-0 on Sept. 10. Credit: Thomas Russell | Freelance Photographer.
A season ago, Penn State shutout the Buckeyes in State College in their final Big Ten regular season game.
In Ohio State’s Big Ten opener on Thursday, junior forward Jadin Bonham and the Buckeyes made sure this year’s matchup started and ended differently.?
Bonham’s goal in the 20th minute, which was her second of the season, helped Ohio State build the momentum it needed to knock off Penn State 1-0.
“I think at least in the first half, it really gave us some momentum going forward,” Bonham said. “It’s always nice getting a goal that early to help the team kind of get our footing and just keep going.”
The Nittany Lions defeated Ohio State 2-0 in 2025, but Bonham’s early goal Thursday gave the Buckeyes a lead they would hold onto for the remainder of the match.
“[Bonham] has always been so strong for us all season,” head coach Lori Walker-Hock said. “Her capacity to hold the ball up top, I think, makes a huge difference for us, and she’s running around with a smile on her face this year, which I think was a huge difference maker for her.”
While Bonham’s goal provided the offense Ohio State needed, the Buckeyes’ ability to adjust to Penn State’s changes helped preserve the lead.
“Our team came out and played really hard,” Walker-Hock said. “Penn State is always a bit of a chess match. They always make changes, we make changes and our team did a nice job adjusting and staying in the match.”
Penn State continued to put pressure on the Ohio State defense, earning seven corner kicks compared to Ohio State’s two. Despite the pressure, the Buckeyes’ defense kept Penn State off the scoreboard and protected Bonham’s one-goal advantage.
The Nittany Lions were held to two shots on goal, both saved by Ohio State’s senior goalkeeper Peighton Northrup.
Walker-Hock said the Buckeyes’ defensive performance was key to securing the win and improving their record to 5-0-1.
“We don’t believe in confidence; we believe in competence,” she said. “We’re going to have some great film to watch about our defending, and that’s going to just continue to make us stronger.”?
