Cincinnati Lacrosse Set for Home Opener Showdown with Ohio State
The Cincinnati Bearcats are back home and riding high as they prepare to host in-state rival Ohio State on Monday at 3 p.m. ET at Nippert Stadium.
After a dominant showing on the road against Wofford, the Bearcats are looking to keep that momentum rolling in their first home game of the season. The matchup will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Owning the Draw - and the Moment
Through three games, Cincinnati has been relentless in the draw circle - and sophomore Morgan Handzel is leading the charge. With 29 draw controls already this season, including a jaw-dropping 14 against Xavier (the second-highest single-game total in program history), Handzel has helped set the tone early and often. The Bearcats are averaging 19 draw wins per game, which puts them tied for fifth nationally, and their .667 draw percentage ranks 10th in the country.
That kind of consistency in the circle is more than just a stat - it’s a foundation. It means more possessions, more opportunities, and more pressure on opposing defenses. And right now, Cincinnati is capitalizing.
Statement Win at Wofford
The Bearcats’ 17-9 road win over Wofford was a showcase in execution. After a back-and-forth opening, Cincinnati blew the game open with an 8-2 run that spanned the second and third quarters. Up 12-6 heading into the final frame, the Bearcats slammed the door shut with five straight goals to close out the game.
Sophomore Paige Selhorn was the engine of the offense, turning in a career-best eight-point performance (four goals, four assists) while also forcing two turnovers. Junior Paige Counts notched her first hat trick of the season and has now scored at least twice in every game this year. Sophomore Payton Kozina picked the perfect time for her breakout, netting her first career hat trick by going a perfect 3-for-3 on shots.
On the possession side, junior Lilly Stelzer was everywhere - scooping up six ground balls and adding two goals. Sophomore Alyse Keels also had a career day with five ground balls, two goals, and two caused turnovers.
Cincinnati controlled the draw 17-9, with Handzel grabbing nine of those herself. They also outshot Wofford 29-16 in shots on goal, a clear sign of how much they dictated the pace and flow.
Scouting the Buckeyes
Ohio State comes into Monday’s contest at 1-1, but they’re fresh off a gritty double-overtime win at Louisville that showed just how dangerous they can be. The Buckeyes built a 10-5 lead before giving up five straight goals in the fourth quarter. But after a scoreless first overtime, junior Kate Tyack delivered the game-winner - her fourth goal of the day - with just 48 seconds left in double OT.
Tyack leads the team with six goals on the season and has a knack for big moments, with seven career games of four or more goals. Zoe Coleman added a hat trick in the Louisville win, while senior Camryn Callaghan dished out a career-best three assists. Callaghan, a former Bearcat, enters the matchup with a 17-game point streak and leads the Buckeyes with nine points this season.
In goal, senior captain Jocelyn Torres is a steady presence. She made 12 saves against Louisville and brings a wealth of experience, having started all 15 games last season. Her .496 save percentage and 9.49 goals-against average ranked among the best in the nation.
Ohio State also dominated the draw in their win, taking 18 of 26 overall and 11 of 12 in the first half. Maeve Simonds led the way with five draw controls as the Buckeyes used possession and depth to wear down the Cardinals. With five of their top seven scorers returning from last season, this is a team that knows how to spread the ball and lean on its veterans.
Rivalry Renewed
This will be the 14th meeting between the two programs, with Ohio State holding an 11-2 edge in the all-time series. The last time these two met - nearly a year ago to the day - it was a thriller. The Buckeyes edged out a 10-9 win at Nippert Stadium in a game that came down to the final minutes.
With Cincinnati surging and Ohio State bringing back a battle-tested core, Monday’s matchup has all the ingredients for another classic. The Bearcats are thriving in the draw circle, finding their rhythm offensively, and getting standout performances across the roster. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, are as experienced as they come and know how to grind out close games.
One thing’s for sure: when these two meet, it’s never just another game.