By ISU Sports Information

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Illinois State soccer team fell 6-2 to Ohio State Friday night in Columbus, Ohio. The Redbirds dropped to 0-1-0 on the year and lost their season opener for the first time since 2011.

Ohio State opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Sammy Edwards received a pass in the middle of traffic near the goal. Edwards was able to get the ball past ISU keeper Vanessa Niestrom and Nichelle Prince and Lindsay Agnew were credited with assists.

One minute later, the Redbirds were whistled for a foul inside the box and Michela Paradiso converted the penalty kick. Later, in the 19th minute, ISU was called for a hand ball in the box and this time Nikki Watts put away the penalty kick.

As ISU made several substitutions throughout the half, Ohio State struck again in the 37th minute. Katelyn Kraft received a pass inside the box and netted the Buckeyes’ fourth goal of the night off assists from Bridget Skinner and Prince.

The Redbirds got on the board 30 seconds later after OSU goalkeeper, Jillian McVicker, was called for a foul in the box and issued a yellow card. Hannah Rodgers stepped up and netted the penalty kick to make it 4-1. The goal was the first of Rodgers’ career.

In the second half, Ohio State got on the board in the 65th minute off a header from Paradiso. The goal was her second of the match and came off of a set corner kick play.

15 minutes later, Watts scored her second of the match on a blast from 20 yards out.

Illinois State tacked on one more goal in the 87th minute after Brianne Richards stole the ball, dribbled into the box and fed Keely Theobald who netted her first collegiate goal.

The Redbirds will look for their first win of the season Sunday versus Illinois at Adelaide Street Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and live video and audio broadcasts will be carried on GoRedbirds.com.