The heavy mist that was present through most of the game was the only thing that dampened the spirits of the Ohio State fans cheering on the No. 2 seeded Buckeyes in their opening round match in the Big Ten Tournament.  Coming into the game the seventh seeded Purdue Boilermakers were looking to buck a recent trend against Ohio State.  The two teams had met nine times since 1998, seeing the Buckeyes win seven. 

The scoring came early for the host Buckeyes, when newly-named Big Ten Freshman of the Year Lara Dickenmann netted an early goal.  In the fifth minute, players from both sides compacted in front of the goal, but Dickenmann was able to move into the middle unmarked and bury a Lisa Grubb cross for an early 1-0 Ohio State lead.  The goal was Dickenmann's ninth of the year while junior Grubb recorded her seventh assist on the season and fellow junior Colleen Hoban was awarded her sixth on the play.    Three minutes later, the crowd was brought to their feet when senior midfielder Elizabeth Mumley loaded up and banged a dangerous shot off the cross bar that was quickly gathered by the Purdue defenders.  The Boilermaker offensive unit was not able to establish any continuity in the Ohio State zone in the first half, mustering only two shots on net.  The shinning moment for Purdue in the opening 45 minutes, came when Dickenmann looked to have notched another tally, with a shot heading directly towards an open section of twine, only to have Purdue freshman midfielder Shauna Stapleton step in front of the shot to keep the margin at a single goal.  However, it would not remain that way for long.  In the 20^th minute of play, Hoban again serviced Dickenmann who was able to increase the Ohio State lead with her 10^th goal of her freshman season.  While a two-goal deficit is always difficult to overcome, Purdue's task was made even more so when diving to attempt to stop Dickenmann's second score, Purdue's starting net-minder, Maureen Carey, dislocated her pinkie finger.  Despite having started 13 of the Boilermakers' 19 games, a cold Lauren Mason needed an extra few minutes to get loose before play resumed.  After Mason signaled to the official that she was ready, Purdue showed a renewed vigor and possessed the ball in Ohio State's end for the final third of the game's opening period.  However, their efforts were for not, as Purdue was unable to put any more shots on goal.  The first period ended with Dickenmann's goals being the difference. 

The second half opened with the rain ceasing and both teams looking to make the final half more physical than the first.  The tough play saw the ball handled more in between the penalty boxes with each side mounting the odd rush.  With 20 minutes remaining in the game the rain returned and made it difficult for either team to garner much control over the ball, often seeing passes trickle away from their intended targets.  Mason remained in goal for the Boilermakers in the second half and saw only four shots on goal.  Equally, Ohio State's Emily Haynam was tested only four times after the half, with neither goalie allowing one to cross the goal line.  Ohio State clearly pulled the defense and midfielders back into the defensive end of the field looking to guard against a possible comeback, only branching out for an occasional offensive run.  Try as they might, the Boilermakers could not push through the rain and the Buckeye defense to pull the game back to a single goal.  The game ended with Ohio State holding on for a 2-0 victory.

The Buckeyes move on to play in the second semifinal in the Big Ten Tournament on Friday at 7:00 p.m.  Ohio State will play the winner of Thursday's No. 3 Michigan and No. 6 Wisconsin game.