Ohio State knocked off No. 14 San Diego, 3-0, Friday night in the Buckeyes' first match of the USD Nike Classic. It was the first of a three-game Western road trip for the Buckeyes.

"The difference tonight was that we really connected," head coach Lori Walker said. "So far this week we've talked a lot about being demanding but also being supportive. We've created a lot of goal-scoring opportunities in the first few games but just haven't been able to find the back of the net and today we were able to change that."

In a first half that featured just four combined shots between the two teams, sophomore Taylor Moront put the Buckeyes on the board in the 40th minute, less than a minute after she entered the match, with a goal off of a rebound. Freshman Karin Sendel and junior Genna Brand assisted on the play. It was the first assist for Sendel in a Buckeye uniform. 

"It was her first or second touch and it was very uplifting," Walker added. "Anytime a player can come off the bench and ignite our attack like that it's very promising."

16 minutes into the second half, freshman Tiffany Cameron gave Ohio State a little bit of insurance when she buried a shot far post from 15 yards out off of an assist from Caitlyn Martin. The goal was the first of Cameron's collegiate career.

The Buckeyes would extend the lead in the 74th minute when Brand had a perfect strike from just outside the box into the upper 90 off of a nice feed from Courtney Jenkins.  

For the game, Ohio State out-shot the Toreros 9-1 as goalkeeper Lauren Robertson earned her third shutout (and 20th of her career) of the season. The Buckeyes have taken 67 shots compared to just 26 for their opponents in the first four matches of 2009.

The Buckeyes, now 2-1-1, will play Southern California at 2 p.m. ET Sunday.