Women's Lacrosse: Ohio State can't support strong effort from Jillian Rizzo in 10-8 loss to Bucknell

Ohio State then-freshman midfielder Sage Darling receives a pass in the offensive zone against Rutgers on March 25, 2017. Credit: Courtesy of OSU.

A late rally Wednesday night was not enough for the Ohio State women’s lacrosse team, which fell to Bucknell 10-8.

The Buckeyes (5-8, 1-3 Big Ten) trailed 9-8 with five minutes remaining, but a late save by Bison junior goalie Jamie DeWitt kept Ohio State from tying the game.

In an attempt to come back, Ohio State junior midfield Baley Parrott finished a free-position shot to close Bucknell’s lead to two. Senior attack Molly Wood quickly followed up with another goal, but a turnover and a foul by the Buckeyes gave the Bison (3-9, 1-4 Patriot) another scoring opportunity.

Parrott led the team with two goals and one assist. Sophomore midfield Liza Hernandez added two goals and picked up two draw controls.

Bucknell took the lead early when sophomore midfield Morgan Steinhacker put the first point on the board 51 seconds into the game. Freshman attack Eve Calabria followed up to bring the score to 2-0.

A foul on the Bison gave Ohio State junior attack McKayla Conti a free-position goal, the first goal for the Buckeyes. Hernandez scored 20 seconds later to tie the game at two.

Ohio State took the lead on another free-position goal by Parrott, but Bucknell quickly tied the game with a free-position goal of its own.

Both teams were held to a 17-minute scoring drought before Bison sophomore midfield Kate Fiore gave Bucknell a 4-3 lead that it maintained the rest of the game.

Bucknell buried two goals to start the second half, but the Buckeyes made an effort to come back. Hernandez scored a free-position shot to chip away at the Bison’s lead, but the Bucknell defense proved to be too much for Ohio State to overcome.

Buckeye goalie Jillian Rizzo, the NCAA leader in saves, finished the game with 11 saves out on 29 shots, 21 of which were on goal.

The Bison held an advantage in draw controls with 14 compared to the Buckeyes’ six.

Ohio State plays its last home game against Maryland at noon Sunday.