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DALLAS – A five-goal performance from sophomore Jackson Reid, coupled with a strong defense effort in front of goalie Josh Kirson, lifted the ninth-ranked Ohio State men’s lacrosse team to a 13-9 victory over Marquette on Saturday in the Patriot Cup at SMU’s Ford Stadium. The Buckeyes improve to 5-0 on the season while Marquette is now 2-2.
“A lot of recognition goes to the HEADstrong Foundation,” said head coach Nick Myers. “It’s an amazing organization. I know how much hard work goes into putting an event like this. We’re incredibly thankful to the Patriot Cup for having us down here. It was a great event.”
Proceeds from the Patriot Cup, which is in its 11th year, benefit the HEADstrong Foundation, which offers financial, residential, and emotional support to families affected by cancer.
Jackson’s five-goal showing was backed up by a hat trick from junior Tre Leclaire, who now has a team-high 16 goals on the season. Ryan Terefenko also got into the act with a pair of goals, three ground balls and one caused turnover. Senior Jack Jasinski notched multiple points for the fifth straight contest, finishing with a goal and three assists.
On defense, sophomore Josh Kirson made eight saves and was aided by the play of starting close defensemen Matt Borges (four ground balls, one caused turnover), Jeff Henrick (two ground balls) and Joey Sailisbury. The Buckeyes allowed just one Marquette goal over the first 25 minutes of the game, building a 4-1 lead during that time. They also held Marquette leading scorer Peter Henkhaus – who came into the game with nine goals on three games – without a point.
Ohio State’s offensive efficiency was also due in large part to the play of sophomore Justin Inacio, who won 18 of 25 face-offs on the afternoon. The reigning Big Ten Specialist of the Week has won 38 face-offs over the last two games. The conference leader in ground balls and ground balls per game scooped up 14 today, just one off his career high.
After the Golden Eagles went ahead 1-0 midway through the first quarter, Ohio State scored four unanswered goals to grab a 4-1 lead at the 11:32 mark of the second quarter. Buckeye goals came from Leclaire, Reid (twice) and Terefenko. From there, Ohio State and Marquette traded goals for the remainder of the quarter and the Buckeyes led 6-3 at halftime.
Ohio State maintained at least a two-goal lead for the entire second half, as Marquette could draw no closer than 9-7 with just over 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. After Tanner Thompson scored off a feed from John Wagner, Inacio won the enduing face-off, picked up the ground ball and scored his first goal of the season to make the score 10-7 in favor of the Buckeyes. Reid and Leclaire would add back to back scores with under seven minutes to play, pushing the Ohio State lead to 12-8. Jasinski finished off the scoring when he split a double team and found the back of the cage with two minutes remaining.
🚨HIDDEN BALL TRICK🚨 Ohio State pulls a fast one on Marquette! #NCAALAX #SCtop10
(via @LaxSportsNet)pic.twitter.com/sI95d2JL6A— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) March 2, 2019
THIS AND THAT
• Ohio State improved to 5-2 all-time against Marquette.
• The Buckeyes have scored 11 or more goals in all five games so far this season.
• Leclaire’s three goals gives him 120 points for his career, 25th highest in program history.
• Leclaire, Jasinski and Reid all extended their streak of consecutive games with a point to 17.
• Reid’s five goals were a career high, topping the four that he scored vs. Boston University last season.
• Over the last four games, Inacio has won 67-of-99 face-offs (.677) with 47 ground balls (11.75 per game).
• The Buckeyes had a 32-17 advantage in ground balls and have picked up more ground balls than their opponent in all five games this year.
JUST THE STATS
Leading Scorers: Reid (5G), Leclaire (3G), Terefenko (2G), Jasinski (1G, 3A), Jack Myers (2A), Nick Musci (1G)
Shots: Ohio State 40, Marquette 31
Ground Balls: Ohio State 32, Marquette 17
Face-offs: Ohio State 18-of-26, Marquette 8-of-26
Clears: Ohio State 14-of-15, Marquette 12-of-15
Extra Man: Marquette 1-of-5, Ohio State 0-for-2
Saves: Ohio State (Kirson) 8, Marquette (Stein and Hulsman) 10
The Buckeyes return to action next Saturday, March 9, when they head east to take on Hofstra at noon in Hempstead, N.Y. The game will be carried live on Lax Sports Network.
