No. 16/17 Men’s Lacrosse Edged in Overtime by No. 7 Ohio State

Saturday, March 21

Piscataway, N.J.

1:00 PM

Rutgers University

7-3, 0-1

Ohio State

8-1, 1-0

Ohio St.

Rutgers

Photo by: Cos Lymperopoulos

No. 16/17 Men’s Lacrosse Edged in Overtime by No. 7 Ohio State

Mar 21 | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – No. 16/17 Rutgers men's lacrosse hosted No. 7 Ohio State on Saturday in the Big Ten opener. Facing the nation's top scoring defense, the two squads had a low scoring battle, ultimately being taken by the Buckeyes in overtime, 6-5. Rutgers stands at 7-3 overall and OSU improves to 8-1.

The Scarlet Knights took the lead first in the opening quarter and never trailed in the low scoring game until the final buzzer. The game was 4-1 in favor of the home team after 26 minutes of action. After halftime, Ohio State slowly cut into the deficit, ultimately outscoring the hosts 5-1 over the final 34+ minutes of game action. After RU led 5-3 at the end of the third quarter, the Buckeyes had the final three goals of the game.

Cardin Stoller saved 60% of OSU's shots on goal, making nine stops. Ohio State matched their season high with 20 turnovers, with Dylan Groff, Connor Udovich and Ryan Splaine each causing two apiece. It marked the second straight season that RU held a Big Ten foe to six or fewest goals, also halting No. 2 Maryland in an 8-6 win last season.

Rutgers' five goals came from Colin Kurdyla, Colin Kelly, Colin Zeller, Greyson Vorgang and Kasey Mongilo. Colin Kelly scored his 100^th career goal. He was making his first start of the season, joining JJ Aiello as a first-time starter this year, as RU used its seventh different starting lineup through seven games.

Faceoffs were even throughout the game, with John Scarelli going 7-of-14 for RU, and holding the defending Big Ten Freshman of the Week Matthew Mayfield to 2-of-6. RU had the advantage in shots (41-34) and was 28-of-31 on clears with a 29-28 ground ball advantage.

The Buckeyes were not called for a penalty in the game. RU has had just 12 man-up opportunities through 10 games.

After RU's third goal, the Buckeyes pulled starting goalkeeper Caleb Fyock, a returning All-American. Jacob Allen made 10 saves and allowed just two goals in relief.

Rutgers got on the board first with Kasey Mongillo scoring five minutes into the game. OSU tried a long-range shot, which Cardin Stoller saved. He then started the break, with Mongillo clearing the ball and taking it home to score.

Ohio State answered for a 1-1 tie shortly after. Then, RU held OSU without a goal for final 25 minutes of first half, including a 3-0 run in 2^nd quarter. OSU had no shots on goal in second quarter, as the Scarlet Knights led 4-1 at halftime.

In the second half, Colin Kurdyla scored with 2:33 to play in the third, but that would be the only RU goal after half. OSU tied the game up with 4 minutes to play in regulation. RU had a great attempt at the net with 1:12 to go, but the shot hit the post and stayed out, sending the game to an extra session. In overtime, Ohio State won the faceoff, went down the field, and scored in just nine seconds of OT.

Rutgers still leads the all-time series against Ohio State, 14-7. OSU has a five-game winning streak in the series.

Up Next

Rutgers remains home next weekend to host No. 12/12 Johns Hopkins. That game will be a Scarlet Out. Game time is set for noon on Sunday, March 29, with a national television broadcast on Big Ten Network.