Eric Boggs
The Ohio State men’s lacrosse team capped off a historic weekend by hoisting their first-ever Big Ten Tournament championship trophy after a commanding 14-10 victory over longtime rival Maryland in Ann Arbor. For Buckeye fans, it was a statement win—a culmination of years of building, battling, and belief under the steady leadership of head coach Nick Myers. The win not only sealed the tournament crown but added to the program’s growing momentum following their first Big Ten regular season title earlier this spring.
Led by a gritty and balanced offensive attack, the Buckeyes put on a clinic in the opening quarter, jumping out to a 5-0 lead with five different players finding the back of the net. Gannon Matthews set the tone early with a fearless goal that cost him a few teeth but earned the respect of teammates and coaches alike. Garrett Haas recorded a hat trick and added an assist, while Griffin Turner contributed a four-point effort with two goals and two assists. Alex Marinier, Liam White, and Jack McKenna also scored twice, providing consistent threats that kept Maryland on their heels all evening.
Yet the star of the show was sophomore goalie Caleb Fyock. Named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, Fyock turned in a jaw-dropping 19-save performance against the Terrapins, tying his career high just two days after posting 14 saves in the semifinal win over Rutgers. The Buckeye defense—anchored by Fyock, Cullen Brown, and All-American Bobby Van Buren—rose to the challenge time and again, holding a potent Maryland offense to only 10 goals on 44 shots and forcing key turnovers at pivotal moments.
In the semifinal win over Rutgers, Ohio State leaned heavily on the hot hand of Marinier, who scored a first-quarter hat trick to pace the Buckeyes to an 11-7 victory. Gannon Matthews added another hat trick—the second in as many games—while the defense suffocated the Scarlet Knights, holding them scoreless for over 26 minutes during the second and third quarters. Fyock was once again the anchor, racking up 14 saves and continuing a remarkable streak of eight straight games with double-digit stops.
Throughout the tournament, Ohio State’s depth was on full display. Seven different players scored against Rutgers, and the Buckeyes never trailed after the opening minutes. Jack Oldman won four key faceoffs in the semifinal and scooped up eight ground balls, while Greg Langermeier and Cullen Brown led a relentless defensive effort that turned possessions into points.
Recognition followed the results. Fyock, who led the conference in save percentage, was named Big Ten Specialist of the Year—the first Buckeye goalie ever to receive the honor. Myers, in turn, earned his second Big Ten Coach of the Year award by unanimous vote, guiding his squad to a 14-2 record and a perfect storm of chemistry, toughness, and execution. The All-Big Ten teams were filled with Scarlet and Gray: Marinier, Van Buren, and Fyock all earned First Team honors, while Brown received Second Team recognition and freshman Liam White was named to the inaugural All-Freshman team. Langermeier, a senior captain and former walk-on, was Ohio State’s Sportsmanship Award honoree—an embodiment of the team-first spirit that has propelled this group to new heights.
This weekend wasn’t just about trophies and accolades—it was about proving that Ohio State lacrosse belongs on the national stage. With the NCAA Tournament looming and a program-best Big Ten campaign behind them, the Buckeyes now turn their focus to the next challenge. The road ahead won’t be easy, but with a deep roster, a dominant goalie, and a hunger that’s been years in the making, this Ohio State team has every reason to believe that more history is yet to be written.
