Notre Dame Ends Ohio State’s Historic Lacrosse Season with Commanding NCAA First-Round Win

COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a highly anticipated first-round NCAA Tournament matchup, the No. 2-ranked Ohio State men’s lacrosse team saw its dream season come to an abrupt end at the hands of two-time defending national champion Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish dominated the contest with a 15-6 victory on Sunday at Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium, bringing the Buckeyes' landmark 2025 campaign to a close.

Despite holding a 3-1 lead early in the second quarter and defeating Notre Dame earlier in the season in South Bend, Ohio State couldn’t sustain its momentum. The Fighting Irish responded with a clinical 14-3 run over the final three quarters, displaying the kind of postseason savvy that has become synonymous with their program under head coach Kevin Corrigan.

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The Turning Point: Notre Dame’s Faceoff Dominance and Second-Quarter Surge

The game's trajectory changed decisively in the second quarter. After Ohio State capitalized on a man-up opportunity to extend its lead to 3-1, Notre Dame exploded offensively, scoring six unanswered goals before the half. Their stretch of dominance was rooted in control of the faceoff circle, winning 10 of 13 draws in the first half and finishing with an 18-7 advantage overall. The Buckeyes struggled to establish possession, and Notre Dame’s methodical offense made the most of extended time on the ball.

By halftime, Notre Dame had turned a 3-1 deficit into a 7-4 lead, outshooting Ohio State 24-12 and controlling the pace of the game. Their second-quarter performance featured more goals (6) than Ohio State had shots on goal (4), a stark stat that underscored the imbalance.

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Marinier Shines in Defeat, but Irish Depth Prevails

Senior attacker Alex Marinier was a lone bright spot for Ohio State, recording four goals on the day and securing his ninth hat trick of the season. His consistency throughout the year earned him a place among program greats—he became just the third Buckeye ever to notch 50 goals in a single season.

Garrett Haas added two early goals, but the Buckeye offense went cold under Notre Dame’s suffocating defensive schemes. On the other side, Notre Dame spread its offense efficiently: Jake Taylor and Chris Kavanagh each netted three goals, while Will Angrick contributed two.

Goalkeepers on both sides put in strong performances, with Ohio State’s Caleb Fyock registering 15 saves—his 12th double-digit save game of the year—and Notre Dame’s Thomas Ricciardelli tallying 13.

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Season of Firsts Ends in Frustration

The loss doesn’t erase the historic accomplishments of Ohio State’s 2025 season. The Buckeyes secured their first Big Ten regular-season and tournament championships, claimed the coveted Creator’s Trophy, and notched 14 wins for only the fifth time in program history. Defenseman Cullen Brown also etched his name in the record books, setting a single-season program record with 34 caused turnovers.

But despite these milestones, the first-round exit felt bittersweet. Hosting their first-ever NCAA Tournament game at Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium, the Buckeyes entered the matchup as the No. 4 overall seed but were widely viewed as having drawn a difficult assignment in facing Notre Dame—a team whose No. 10 ranking belied its championship pedigree.

Many analysts and fans questioned the seeding from the outset. Having to face the reigning champions in the first round appeared less a reward and more a cruel twist for one of the most accomplished teams in Buckeye lacrosse history.

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The Bigger Picture: Experience Matters in May

Notre Dame’s performance reinforced a recurring theme in NCAA men’s lacrosse: experience matters. The Fighting Irish’s response to early adversity demonstrated the maturity and championship-caliber poise that comes with postseason success. Their ability to control the game's tempo, dominate faceoffs, and convert on key opportunities exemplified why they're still the team to beat, regardless of tournament seedings.

With the win, Notre Dame advances to the NCAA quarterfinals to face Penn State on May 18 in Annapolis, Maryland. Penn State defeated Colgate 13-11 in their opening-round matchup.

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Final Thoughts

Ohio State’s loss stings, but the foundation laid in 2025 signals a new era for the program. Under the guidance of head coach Nick Myers, the Buckeyes have transformed from an afterthought in national conversations to a legitimate force in collegiate lacrosse. Their postseason fate this year may have been shaped by a tough draw, but their accomplishments remain indelible.

As Notre Dame moves forward in pursuit of a third consecutive national title, Ohio State must now reflect, regroup, and prepare to build upon a year that—despite the ending—will go down as one of the most successful in the school’s lacrosse history.