COLUMBUS, Ohio – Rutgers men's lacrosse battled on the road at the No. 3 ranked team in the country. Ultimately, RU fell just short, falling by a 13-11 score. Colin Kurdyla, Shane Murphy and Ryan Splaine all had two goals in the game.

Ohio State improved to 10-1 behind 19 saves from its goalkeeper Caleb Fyock. RU had a 47-40 shot advantage as well as 46-39 on ground balls, but fell to 5-6. Matthew Paolatto won 16-of-28 faceoffs.

Ohio State got off to a strong start, scoring the first three goals of the game in the first six minutes of the game. RU answered back, with long-stick midfielder Ryan Splaine scoring the team's first two goals of the day in transition. Justin Lawler then evened the game at 3-3.

OSU answered back with the next two goals, not scoring until the game was in the second quarter to break a 16-minute scoring drought. Kasey Mongillo scored on a bouncer, and Shane Murphy added a finish in front for opening half goals for the visitors. At the break, the No. 3 ranked Buckeyes led 6-5, with RU having finished the first half on a 5-3 run over the final 24 minutes of the first half.

In the second half, RU immediately tied the game. Matthew Paolatto lost the initial faceoff of the third quarter, but immediately caused a turnover, grabbed the ball and fired it in to even the score just 15 seconds into the second half.

Ohio State had the next two goals, but then Colin Kurdyla answered, bringing the game back to a one-goal deficit late in the third quarter.

OSU scored twice, going up 10-7. But again, RU came back. Kyle Worsnup scored his first collegiate goal, the freshman LSM being on the spot to scoop up a rebound and finish. Then it was a transition goal off a turnover again, with Colin Kurdyla finishing to bring the score back within one at 10-9.

Ohio State extended the lead to 12-9, before another transition tally saw Shane Murphy finish it and make the score 12-10 with six minutes to play. Each team had a late tally for the 13-11 final score.

Rutgers is back home for the next two games. Next Saturday, RU hosts No. 2 Maryland at 5 p.m.

Postgame Notes

• Ryan Splaine, who had not tallied on the year, had his first career multi-goal game
  • He had his first goal since April 13, 2024 vs. Maryland (13-game span)
  • Was first Rutgers' LSM to score 2 goals in a game in the Big Ten era
• Freshman LSM Kyle Worsnup had his first career goal
• Matthew Paolatto had a season-high 11 ground balls.