Eric Boggs
In a game that will forever be remembered in Ohio State history, the Buckeyes men’s lacrosse team claimed their first Big Ten regular season title with a thrilling 10-8 victory over archrival Michigan. What unfolded in Ann Arbor wasn’t just another chapter in the storied rivalry between Ohio State and that team up north—it was a program-defining win that signaled a new era for Buckeye lacrosse.
The Buckeyes entered the game with a 12-2 record, already having exceeded expectations in a season few anticipated would end with them atop the Big Ten standings. From the opening whistle, the matchup against Michigan proved to be a gritty, back-and-forth battle. Tied 1-1 after the first quarter, Ohio State managed to seize momentum late in the second thanks to a crucial goal from Ben Mayer, heading into halftime with a narrow 3-2 lead.
Just eight seconds into the second half, the Buckeyes extended their lead, but the Wolverines responded with five straight goals, flipping the game on its head and pulling ahead 8-5 with just over 12 minutes to play. The situation looked dire, and Ohio State needed a spark.
Enter Gannon Matthews.
With under six minutes remaining, Matthews ignited the Buckeye comeback with his 12th goal of the season. Ninety seconds later, he struck again, cutting the Michigan lead to just one. Mere moments later, Shane O’Leary came off the bench and delivered a clutch goal to tie the game at 8-8. With the pressure mounting, Ed Shean found the back of the net for his second goal of the day, reclaiming the lead for the Buckeyes. Matthews, finishing a fourth-quarter hat trick, sealed the victory with a final goal to give Ohio State the 10-8 win—and with it, the program’s first-ever Big Ten title.
Six different Buckeyes contributed to the scoring effort, reflecting the team-first mentality that’s been evident all season long. The game itself was fiercely contested, with the two rivals combining for 74 total shots. Yet it was Ohio State’s grit and resilience in the final quarter that ultimately made the difference.
With the regular season championship secured, Ohio State now enters the Big Ten Tournament as the No. 1 seed. They’ll receive a first-round bye and will take the field again in the semifinals on May 1 in Ann Arbor, with the title game scheduled for May 3.
It’s a proud time to be a Buckeye. Under the leadership of Athletic Director Ross Bjork, Ohio State continues to raise the bar across all sports. While the football program continues to dominate nationally, other programs—like men’s lacrosse—are rising to meet the standard. Historically overlooked in the Big Ten, this Buckeye lacrosse team has officially arrived, and they couldn’t have chosen a better opponent or a better moment to make history.
