ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Rutgers men’s lacrosse team, ranked No. 17 in the nation, saw its season come to a disappointing end on Thursday, May 1, 2025, as they fell to the No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament. The Scarlet Knights, who entered the tournament with a record of 7-8, fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to the Buckeyes, who improved their record to 13-2 with the 11-7 victory.
A Hard-Fought Battle
The matchup took place at the University of Michigan’s Lacrosse Stadium, where both teams were eager to secure a spot in the championship game. Rutgers started strong, showcasing their determination and skill, but Ohio State quickly responded, demonstrating why they are one of the top teams in the nation.
The first quarter was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging goals. Rutgers struck first, with a goal from their leading scorer, who has been a standout player throughout the season. However, Ohio State answered back, showcasing their depth and talent. The first quarter ended with the score tied at 3-3, setting the stage for an intense battle.
Ohio State Takes Control
As the game progressed into the second quarter, Ohio State began to assert their dominance. The Buckeyes’ offense, led by their star attackman, found their rhythm and started to pull away. They capitalized on a few defensive lapses from Rutgers, scoring three unanswered goals to take a 6-3 lead.
Rutgers, however, refused to back down. They rallied with a goal from their midfield, narrowing the gap to 6-4. The Scarlet Knights’ defense tightened up, and they managed to hold Ohio State scoreless for the remainder of the half. The teams went into halftime with Ohio State leading 6-4, but Rutgers was still very much in the game.
The Second Half
The second half began with both teams making adjustments. Rutgers came out with renewed energy, and their efforts paid off when they scored early in the third quarter, bringing the score to 6-5. The Scarlet Knights’ fans, who traveled to support their team, erupted in cheers, hoping to see their team complete the comeback.
However, Ohio State quickly responded, showcasing their resilience. They scored two consecutive goals, extending their lead to 8-5. The Buckeyes’ ability to respond under pressure was a testament to their experience and skill, as they maintained composure in critical moments.
A Final Push
As the fourth quarter began, Rutgers found themselves in a familiar position, needing to mount a comeback. The Scarlet Knights’ coaching staff urged their players to dig deep and fight for every possession. Rutgers managed to score again, making it 8-6, but Ohio State answered back with another goal, pushing the lead to 9-6.
With time running out, Rutgers made one final push. They scored again, narrowing the score to 9-7, but Ohio State’s defense held strong in the final minutes. The Buckeyes added two more goals to seal the victory at 11-7, ending Rutgers’ hopes of advancing to the championship game.
Reflections on the Season
Following the game, Rutgers head coach expressed pride in his team’s effort throughout the season. “I’m incredibly proud of our guys,” he said. “We faced a lot of challenges this year, but we fought hard and showed resilience. This game doesn’t define us; it’s just a stepping stone for our program.”
The Scarlet Knights’ season was marked by ups and downs, but they managed to secure a spot in the Big Ten Tournament, a testament to their hard work and determination. The team will look to build on this experience as they prepare for the next season, with hopes of returning stronger and more competitive.
Ohio State Advances
With the victory, Ohio State advanced to the Big Ten Championship game, where they will face off against the Maryland Terrapins. The Buckeyes’ performance against Rutgers showcased their depth and talent, solidifying their status as one of the top teams in the nation.
Ohio State head coach praised his team’s effort, noting the importance of teamwork and execution. “We played well today, but we know we have to keep improving,” he said. “Maryland is a tough opponent, and we need to be at our best to compete for the championship.”
Looking Ahead
As the season comes to a close for Rutgers, the focus will shift to the offseason. The coaching staff will evaluate the team’s performance, identify areas for improvement, and work on recruiting new talent to strengthen the roster. The Scarlet Knights are determined to learn from this experience and come back stronger next season.
For Ohio State, the road to the championship continues. The Buckeyes will prepare for their matchup against Maryland, aiming to capture the Big Ten title and solidify their position as a top contender in the NCAA tournament.
Conclusion
The loss to Ohio State marked the end of a challenging season for the No. 17 Rutgers men’s lacrosse team. Despite the disappointment, the Scarlet Knights showed resilience and determination throughout the year. As they look to the future, the lessons learned from this season will undoubtedly shape their journey ahead. Meanwhile, Ohio State’s victory propels them into the championship game, where they will seek to claim the Big Ten title and continue their pursuit of national glory.
No. 17 Men’s Lacrosse Ends B1G Tourney Run in Loss to No. 5 Ohio State
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Rutgers men’s lacrosse team, ranked No. 17 in the nation, faced a tough defeat on Thursday, May 1, 2025, as they were eliminated from the Big Ten Tournament by the No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes. The semifinal match concluded with an 11-7 scoreline, marking the end of the Scarlet Knights’ season, which concluded with a record of 7-9.
A Competitive Matchup
The game took place at the University of Michigan’s Lacrosse Stadium, where both teams were eager to secure a place in the championship game. Rutgers started the match with a strong offensive push, demonstrating their determination to advance. The Scarlet Knights opened the scoring with an early goal, showcasing their offensive capabilities.
- First Quarter Highlights: The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging goals. Rutgers’ leading scorer found the net first, but Ohio State quickly equalized, ending the quarter tied at 3-3.
Ohio State’s Dominance
As the game progressed into the second quarter, Ohio State began to take control. Their offense, led by a standout attackman, found its rhythm and started to pull away from Rutgers.
- Key Moments: The Buckeyes scored three consecutive goals, taking a commanding 6-3 lead. Despite this, Rutgers managed to respond with a goal of their own, narrowing the gap to 6-4 before halftime. The Scarlet Knights’ defense tightened, preventing Ohio State from scoring further in the half.
The Second Half Dynamics
The second half commenced with both teams making strategic adjustments. Rutgers emerged with renewed energy, scoring early in the third quarter to bring the score to 6-5.
- Turning Point: However, Ohio State quickly countered, scoring two more goals to extend their lead to 8-5. The Buckeyes’ ability to respond under pressure highlighted their experience and skill.
Final Quarter Push
Entering the fourth quarter, Rutgers found themselves needing to mount a comeback. The coaching staff encouraged the players to fight for every possession.
- Late Game Efforts: Rutgers managed to score again, making it 8-6, but Ohio State responded with another goal, pushing the lead to 9-6. With time running out, Rutgers scored once more, narrowing the score to 9-7, but Ohio State’s defense held firm, adding two more goals to secure the victory.
Reflections from the Scarlet Knights
After the game, Rutgers head coach expressed pride in his team’s performance throughout the season.
- Coach’s Remarks: “I’m incredibly proud of our guys. We faced a lot of challenges this year, but we fought hard and showed resilience. This game doesn’t define us; it’s just a stepping stone for our program,” he stated.
The Scarlet Knights’ season was marked by ups and downs, but their ability to reach the Big Ten Tournament showcased their hard work and determination.
Ohio State’s Path Forward
With this victory, Ohio State advanced to the Big Ten Championship game, where they will face the Maryland Terrapins.
- Coach’s Insights: Ohio State’s head coach praised his team’s effort, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and execution. “We played well today, but we know we have to keep improving. Maryland is a tough opponent, and we need to be at our best to compete for the championship,” he noted.
Looking Ahead for Rutgers
As the season concludes for Rutgers, the focus will shift to the offseason. The coaching staff will evaluate the team’s performance, identify areas for improvement, and work on recruiting new talent to strengthen the roster.
- Future Aspirations: The Scarlet Knights are determined to learn from this experience and come back stronger next season, aiming to build on the foundation laid this year.
Ohio State’s Championship Aspirations
For Ohio State, the road to the championship continues. The Buckeyes will prepare for their matchup against Maryland, aiming to capture the Big Ten title and solidify their position as a top contender in the NCAA tournament.
Conclusion
The loss to Ohio State marked the end of a challenging season for the No. 17 Rutgers men’s lacrosse team. Despite the disappointment, the Scarlet Knights showed resilience and determination throughout the year. As they look to the future, the lessons learned from this season will undoubtedly shape their journey ahead. Meanwhile, Ohio State’s victory propels them into the championship game, where they will seek to claim the Big Ten title and continue their pursuit of national glory.
Season Overview
The 2025 season for Rutgers was a rollercoaster ride, filled with moments of brilliance and challenges that tested the team’s resolve.
- Key Players: The Scarlet Knights relied heavily on their key players, who consistently stepped up throughout the season. Their contributions were vital in securing a spot
