Ohio lacrosse survives the Buckeyes
Bobcats advance after opening-round win in national tournament
By William Strome, Staff Writer
April 25, 2008 | 6 a.m.
It took 364 days and an hour-long thunderstorm delay for the Ohio University men's lacrosse team to avenge a loss that prematurely put closure to its 2007 campaign.
The Bobcats prevailed over rival Ohio State University 8-6 in the first round of the National College Lacrosse League Tournament on Sunday afternoon at Pruitt Field. They never trailed. Last year the Buckeyes ended Ohio's season April 21, 9-5, on the Bobcats' home turf. Since that loss, Ohio (11-0) has won 19 consecutive games, including three against Ohio State.
“Ohio State is a solid rival,” coach Kevin Andrick said. “After we lost to them last year at home, they went on to play in the national championship. It feels good to win but that should have been us last year.”
Ohio State (10-4) fell 11-8 to Delaware in the championship, but the Bobcats, who are nationally ranked No. 1 on LaxPower.com, still recognize the debacle from a year ago and consider that to be the difference between this season and the last.
“Since day one last year, everyone was talking about getting to and winning the championship,” Andrick said. “We're taking it one game at a time and not looking past anyone.”
Despite beating the Buckeyes 8-1 April 5, Ohio warmed up for the game as if it were the national championship.
“Even though we don't always see the best competition during the season, we get so excited to play big games and that's when we come out of our shell and play phenomenal,” attackman Ben Miller said following his three-goal performance.
The 'Cats scored first when midfielder Charlie Coe made his first of two consecutive goals to lift Ohio to an early lead. The Buckeyes answered the Ohio score to tie the game, but it was not long before Coe buried another shot and regained the lead. The Bobcat offense began to rip through the Buckeye defense like the ensuing storm through the sky. With Ohio clenched to a 5-3 lead, lightning caused the game to be delayed for more than an hour.
“We had a lot of momentum going into the delay," defenseman Dave Blair said. "We just had to pick up where we left off and play them hard.”
The Buckeyes were not the team to lie down to a rival and quickly tied the game following a deflection off Ohio defenseman Brian Holzheimer's leg. The Bobcats were elevated to another one-goal lead after midfielder Ryan Hanson netted his fifth goal of the season. The Ohio offense, averaging almost 10 goals per game, slowed down the tempo and switched into a time-consuming offense.
On the defensive end, Ohio held the Buckeye attack nicely but consistently turned the ball over during transition. Ohio State had numerous attempts to capitalize off the Ohio mistakes, but goalie Cory Nyeste's astounding play kept the 'Cats firmly in the lead. Nyeste finished the game with 19 saves on 25 shots.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Buckeyes tied the game at six and that would be as close as they would get. After a seemingly long scoring drought, Ohio took a 7-6 lead when Bobcat midfielder Zak Gebler found the back of the net.
The Ohio State attack took a few shots but was unable to produce any points. With less than 45 seconds to play, the Buckeyes had the ball in the Ohio defensive zone but turned it over after a scuffle for a loose ball and pushed it out of play. Despite trying to merely kill the clock and end the game, attackman Alex Adkins scored his first goal of the game and officially put the game out of reach.
Ohio's next-round opponent has yet to be determined by the NCLL but will likely be the Penn State University Nittany Lions or the University of Virginia Cavaliers at a neutral site May 3.
Team Notes
Ohio beat Ohio State in the semifinals of the Midwest Tournament on its way to defeating the University of Cincinnati in the finals 8-2. Long-stick midfielder Brian Holzheimer is tied for fifth on the team in scoring with six points. Adkins leads the team in goals (28), assists (16) and points (44). On the season, Nyeste has 54 saves off 78 shots (.692). The Final Four will be held in Lynchburg, Virginia, May 4 and 5.
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Will Strome is a junior, journalism major and a member of the Ohio men's club lacrosse team.