Eric Boggs
It wasn’t the storybook ending Ohio State fans hoped for, especially with the historic setting of the first-ever NCAA Tournament game played at Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium. Despite entering the postseason as the No. 2 team in the national polls, the Buckeyes were handed a difficult draw as the No. 4 seed and matched up against two-time defending national champion Notre Dame. And while Ohio State had already defeated the Fighting Irish earlier this season in South Bend, Sunday’s game in Columbus told a different story. The Buckeyes’ incredible 2025 campaign came to an abrupt halt with a 15-6 loss to Notre Dame.
The game began with promise. After conceding the opening goal, Ohio State responded with three of their own, including a man-up goal by Garrett Haas to take a 3-1 lead early in the second quarter. But Notre Dame quickly flipped the momentum. A dominant 14-3 run by the Fighting Irish exposed Ohio State’s struggles in possession, particularly at the faceoff X, and underscored why they remain one of the most dangerous programs in postseason play. Despite a standout effort from Alex Marinier, who scored four of the team’s six goals, the Buckeyes couldn’t recover from Notre Dame’s relentless pressure.
Goaltender Caleb Fyock continued to showcase why he’s one of the best in the country, delivering key saves in the first half and trying to keep Ohio State within striking distance. Still, the Irish controlled possession and tempo, winning 10 of the first 13 faceoffs and limiting the Buckeyes’ offensive opportunities. Even when the defense held firm—like forcing a shot clock violation on Notre Dame’s opening possession of the second half—the Buckeyes couldn’t find enough rhythm to sustain a comeback.
Despite the disappointing result, Ohio State’s season deserves recognition for what it was: a breakthrough year for the program. The Buckeyes placed five players on USA Lacrosse’s Division I All-America teams, a testament to the talent and balance that powered this memorable campaign. First-team selections Caleb Fyock and Bobby Van Buren were anchors on a defense that ranked among the nation’s best. Fyock, the Big Ten Specialist of the Year, finished with the top save percentage in the country and was instrumental in the Buckeyes’ Big Ten Tournament championship run. Van Buren, a senior captain, consistently drew the opponent’s top offensive threat and was key to Ohio State’s top-10 scoring margin.
Cullen Brown earned an honorable mention after setting a program record with 33 caused turnovers and leading the team in ground balls among non-faceoff players. Senior captain Greg Langermeier made his mark as a steady short stick defensive midfielder, contributing on both ends of the field. Marinier, the team’s offensive leader, capped his season with 46 goals and ranked first in the Big Ten in goals per game, while delivering nine hat tricks and maintaining a remarkable shooting percentage that helped the Buckeyes to one of the most efficient offenses in the country.
While Sunday’s loss stings, there’s no denying that the foundation has been laid for future success. The Buckeyes proved this season that they belong among the elite, and with returning talent and a growing reputation, Ohio State men’s lacrosse is on the rise—and the rest of the country is taking notice.
