Then-sophomore attackman Jack Jasinski heads for the goal in the fourth quarter during the first round of the NCAA tournament against Loyola Maryland on May 14, 2017. Credit: Sheridan Hendrix | Oller Reporter
The No. 6 Ohio State men’s lacrosse team played another close game this week, but this time it turned into the Buckeyes’ first heartbreaking defeat of the season.
They made a valiant fourth-quarter defensive effort, but failed to gain the momentum on the road in an 8-7 overtime loss to No. 19 Marquette Friday.
The Buckeyes (4-1) could not down their second ranked opponent of the season. The Golden Eagles (3-0) proved to be too much for Ohio State’s defense, which held Marquette scoreless for nearly 20 minutes in the fourth quarter and into overtime.
Ohio State found itself trailing 7-5 in the fourth, but came back from the deficit behind goals from junior attack Jack Jasinski and redshirt sophomore Lukas Buckley to push the game into overtime.
The Golden Eagles won the first face-off of the extra period and followed up with a rocket shot from sophomore midfielder Peter Henkhaus, but it was saved by Ohio State senior goalie Matthew Smidt.
The Buckeyes’ response was swift. After the ball cleared the Ohio State defensive zone, freshman midfielder Jackson Reid managed to rattle a shot off on Golden Eagle senior goalie Cole Blazer. Blazer, however, countered with a save of his own and allowed junior Eagles attackman John Wagner to score the game winner.
Ohio State’s overtime loss snapped its four-game win streak. It will try to bounce back when it challenges Detroit Mercy at 2 p.m. Sunday.
