If anyone doubted that the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry existed outside the `Shoe and the Big House, they only needed to view the teams' semifinal match Friday night in the Big Ten Women's Soccer Tournament.  The No. 2 Buckeyes and No. 3 Wolverines could have used a few sets of shoulder pads in their game, which saw tough play at both ends of the field resulting in 20 fouls in the first half alone. 

The scoring came early and often for the host Ohio State Buckeyes in their semifinal match.  Junior midfielder Danielle Dietrich on the right side of the six-yard box leapt to head home a Lisa Grubb cross past Michigan goalie Megan Tuura.  For Dietrich it was here 10th goal of the year and Grubb and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Lara Dickenmann earned their eighth and ninth assists of the campaign.  Ohio State continued to pressure the Wolverine defense resulting in a few Michigan miscues.  A free kick from the center of the field was saved by Tuura, but as the rebound bounced in front of the goal, Michigan defender Kandice McLaughlin knocked the ball into the back of the net on an ill-fated clearing attempt.  The score was deemed an own-goal since it would not have occurred with out the defenses intervention.  The own-goal was followed six minutes later by another unusual score, when Ohio State defender Melissa Miller lined up for a direct kick from 50 yards out.  Her service bounced over the head of two Buckeye forwards and neither Tuura, nor any of three Michigan defenders in the area attended to the ball, which took an advantageous bounce into the net for Ohio State's third goal of the night.  The unassisted tally was Miller's second of the year.  Michigan looked to start a substantial comeback in the 40th minute, with a well-struck laser of a shot by Wolverine senior midfielder Laura Tanchon, which ripped the net behind a diving Ohio State goalie, Emily Haynam.  With the score 3-1, the half came to an end, with Ohio State ahead. 

The second half picked up right where the first left off, with Ohio State exchanging physical play and earning numerous scoring chances.  In the 50th minute, Melissa Miller again lined up for a free kick, this time her service was received by the head of junior Lisa Grubb.  Her 11th score of the year ties an Ohio State school record for most goals in a season.  The ball remained in Michigan's end for most of the first half hour of the second period, save the occassional rush.  The Buckeyes again advanced into their offensive end less than a minute later.  Dickenmann centered the ball from outside the box to Grubb who having received it, crossed the ball into the center of the six-yard box and junior midfielder Colleen Hoban headed it home for her fourth goal of the year.  On the goal Dickenmann received her 10th assist and Grubb her eighth which earned her the all-time Ohio State single season points record with 30.  With the score now sitting at 5-1, Michigan took advantage of Ohio State substitutions when Tanchon's in-swinging corner kick was cleared outside the box only to have it buried into the top right corner by Wolverine Melissa Dobbyn.  For the freshman forward it was her eighth goal of the year and Tanchon her fifth assist.  Dobbyn had another impressive attempt in the 68th minute when she found a tricky pass resting on her foot and attempted a nifty heel-touch towards the net that was quickly gathered by Haynam.  With Ohio State remaining in control for the final 20 minutes, the play increased its chippiness as tackles and challenges became even more physical than before.  In the game, Michigan was shown three caution yellow cards and the teams combined for 44 fouls, with Ohio State earning 20 and Penn State 24.

The 15th win for Ohio State sets a new all-time wins record, besting the 1996 season's 14.  The Buckeyes move into the finals of the Big Ten Tournament with a 15-3-3 record.  The semifinal loss drops Michigan's overall mark to 11-8-2.  No. 2 seeded Ohio State moves into the Big Ten Tournament finals against the top-seeded and third-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.  The game can be seen live on Big Ten television partner, College Sports Television.