A late-game effort fell short as Penn State men’s lacrosse lost its inaugural Big Ten game on Sunday to No. 16 Ohio State, 10-8. The Lions scored four of their eight goals in the fourth quarter, but the Buckeyes answered with long possessions to run out the clock.

How It Happened

Redshirt senior Michael Richards netted Penn State’s first ever Big Ten goal 1:41 into the game, but the excitement was short lived as the Buckeyes responded with five straight tallies to move ahead 5-1 at the end of the first quarter. After a goal from Mike Sutton helped bring Penn State within four, Ohio State again had an answer, scoring two more at the end of the second frame. The Lions found themselves down 7-2 at the end of the first half.

Pat Manley and Sutton each scored in the third period to help Penn State claw its way back, but the Buckeyes scored two goals of their own to maintain a five-goal lead at the end of three quarters, 9-4. After another Ohio State goal early in the fourth quarter, Penn State’s offense finally woke up. Thanks to Craig Kreinz’s perfect showing at the face-off, the Lions scored four unanswered goals in just over four minutes.

Nick Aponte scored with 6:44 left in regulation, and Brian Prestreau found the back of the cage 47 seconds later to pull Penn State within four, 10-6. Seventy seconds later, Dan Craig added a highlight-reel goal, scooping up the ball behind his back and tossing a horizontal shot behind him into the net to make it 10-7. With just 2:37 to play, Matt Florence picked up the rock from behind the cage and split a double team before ripping it into the net for Penn State’s final tally of the contest, putting the score at 10-8.

Despite Penn State goalie Connor Darcey’s eight saves on the game, Ohio State outshot Penn State 32-27. Matt Florence, Nick Aponte, Dan Craig, Michael Richards, Brian Prestreau, and Pat Manley each scored a goal for the Lions.

Player of the Game

Ohio State’s Jesse King scored on three of his four shots on goal and tallied an assist, propelling the Buckeyes potent offense.

Match Notes

• Sunday’s game at Penn State Lacrosse Field was the first home match broadcasted on ESPNU in the history of the program.
• The game was also the first in the quest for the Creator’s Trophy between Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State. The trophy was created to honor the rivalries among the three Big Ten lacrosse schools at the time Michigan added the sport in 2012. The Nittany Lions have captured two-of-three titles.
• Penn State won the faceoff battle 12-10 while committing fewer turnovers (7) than the Buckeyes (15).
• Both teams finished a combined 0-6 with the man advantage.

What’s Next?

Penn State heads to Maryland for its first Big Ten away game on Saturday, April 4 at 3 p.m., set to be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

Photo: Penn State Athletics