COLUMBUS – The No. 9/10 Fighting Irish dropped a 14-11 decision against No. 10/11 Ohio State at Ohio Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Notre Dame’s attack was led by Pat Kavanagh and Eric Dobson, who each finished with two goals and an assist.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Notre Dame got off to a good start, scoring goals on its first two possessions to open an early 2-0 lead in the opening stages of the game. The Buckeyes battled back and leveled the score after scoring back-to-back extra-man goals to make it 2-2. The Irish then scored on the EMO to take the lead at 3-2 after the first quarter of play.
The Irish added a transition goal from Quinn McCahon to double their lead at 4-2 early in the second quarter but it was all Ohio State for the remainder of the frame. The hosts scored the final four goals of the half to take a 6-4 lead heading into the halftime break.
The Buckeyes carried their momentum into the third quarter, scoring twice in the first four minutes of action to take their largest lead of the afternoon at 8-4.
Notre Dame came roaring back with three goals in just under 90 seconds to cut the deficit to one at 8-7 with 7:35 left in the quarter. The run was sparked by LSM Jose Boyer’s first career goals followed by scores from midfielders Morrison Mirer and Wheaton Jackoboice.
The hosts answered by scoring three of the final four goals of the quarter, including one that the refs awarded even though the shot was taken well after the clock hit zero, to take an 11-8 lead into the final frame.
The Irish scored three of the first four goals of the fourth quarter to cut the Ohio State lead to one at 12-11 with just over five minutes remaining in regulation. However, the Buckeyes scored on an extra-man opportunity to push their lead back to two at 13-11 with two minutes and change remaining.
The hosts added an empty-net goal with under 10 seconds remaining to make the final score 14-11.
UP NEXT
The Irish return home for another Big Ten matchup, as they host the No. 13 Michigan Wolverines at noon on Saturday, March 19 at Arlotta Stadium. The game will air on ACCN.
— ND —