COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jay Carlson capped off a thrilling five-goal rally to score the game-winning goal and lead the No. 3 Maryland men's lacrosse team past No. 11 Ohio State, 10-9, in overtime Saturday in front of 21,064 at Ohio Stadium. The victory clinched at least a share of the inaugural Big Ten regular season title for the Terps.
Trailing by four goals, 9-5, with less than five minutes to play, sophomore Matt Rambo scored a shot from the left wing to kick off a furious comeback with 4:22 to play. After an Andrew Walsh faceoff win, Henry West scored 1:08 later on a pass from Joe LoCascio to pull the Terps within two goals, 9-7.
The rally continued as LoCascio took advantage of an Ohio State delay of game penalty to score with 1:34 remaining. Walsh came through again for Maryland, promptly winning the faceoff and setting the stage for Colin Heacock's game-tying goal 25 seconds later.
The Buckeyes had a chance to win in regulation, but their shot sailed wide and Casey Ikeda stretched for the ball to secure the Terps' possession.
Ohio State won the opening faceoff in overtime, before losing the ball on a caused turnover by Matt Dunn. The Terps then fired a flurry of shots before Carlson scored the game-winner to clinch the sudden death victory in front of nearly 40 thousand fans by the end of the game.
The game started in Ohio State's favor, as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead less than five minutes into the game on goals by Jesse King and Rick Lewis. The Buckeyes then added two more goals to open up a 4-0 advantage.
Maryland ended the Buckeye run with three minutes left, as Heacock found Carlson for the Terrapin goal.
The Terrapins then trimmed their deficit to one, 4-3, after Carlson notched his second of the game and Rambo found the back of the net.
The Buckeyes answered right back, however, as Ryan Hunter and John Kelley gave the home team a 6-3 lead. Carlson notched his third point of the half when he dished an assist to Bryan Cole, bringing the Terps' deficit to two, 6-4, at the halftime break.
LoCascio opened the second half with a Terrapin goal at the 11:27 mark of the second half, but Ohio State closed out the frame with two goals to retake an 8-5 lead.
Game Notes:
- Maryland moved to 5-0 all-time against Ohio State.
- The Terps clinched at least a share of the inaugural Big Ten regular season title; it is the Terps third consecutive regular season conference title
- Maryland won its 14th straight game when holding its opponent to less than 10 goals.
- Maryland won its 32nd straight game when scoring at least 10 goals
- Jay Carlson scored his 80th career goal; moving into a tie for 21st in Maryland history with Terry Kimball (1976-79)
- Joe LoCascio stretched his team-leading consecutive point streak to 15 games
