Myers, Reid Power No. 8 Ohio State Over Harvard, 17-12 – Ohio State Buckeyes

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The last two weeks of the Ohio State men’s lacrosse season have proven that the Buckeyes’ offense travels well.

For the second straight game, the Buckeyes (4-0) showed off their offensive firepower, this time topping Harvard (1-1) 17-12 on the strength of a 7-1 third quarter run. Saturday night’s game was played at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples, Fla.

The Short Story
Jack Myers, coming off a nine-point effort vs. North Carolina, had five goals and six assists for a career-high 11 points. It was the highest point output by a Buckeye in nearly 14 years, since Joel Dalgarno had 12 vs. Denver in 2008.

Myers was helped by another well-balanced offensive effort that included four third-quarter goals by Jackson Reid and a hat trick by Colby Smith. In total, seven different players scored to pace an offensive attack that totaled 17 or more goals for the fourth straight game.

The Buckeyes’ special teams units once again played a critical role. In the face-off X, Justin Inacio won 20-of-29 and scooped up 13 ground balls. The extra man unit converted both of its opportunities and goalie Caton Johnson made 10 saves.

Inacio’s 20 face-off wins are tied for the third-most in a game. It’s the second time this year he’s won 20 face-offs, previously reaching that mark vs. Cleveland State on Feb. 12.

Quotable
“Thank you to everybody who had a hand in making tonight’s game happen,” said head coach Nick Myers. “It was great to get down to Florida and be part of a first class event. Credit to Harvard, they are a very good team and I loved how we responded to their challenge. We saw a lot of good things tonight in all areas of the field, especially in the second half. We will build on this and get ready for the next challenge.”

 How the Goals Were Scored

• The Buckeyes and Crimson traded goals for much of the first half as Ohio State built a 5-2 lead early in the second quarter.
• Harvard, however, finished the first half on a four-goal run to take a 6-5 lead at intermission. It was the first time this season Ohio State trailed at the half.
• The third quarter was the Jackson Reid show, as the fifth-year senior scored four times – including three in a row between 13:35 and 12:40 – to give Ohio State a 9-6 lead. Myers assisted on all three of Reid’s goals in that one-minute span.
• The Buckeyes finished the third quarter with consecutive goals from Myers, Reid and Colby Smith to take their largest lead of the night, 12-7, into the fourth quarter.
• Ohio State and Harvard traded scores over the final 15 minutes as Myers finished his 11-point night with a goal and two assists in the quarter. Other Buckeye scorers were Ari Allen, Colby Smith (twice) and Trent DiCicco.

Statistically Speaking
Shots: Ohio State 42, Harvard 38
Ground Balls: Ohio State 36, Harvard 33
Faceoffs: Ohio State 22-for-31, Harvard 9-for-31
Clears: Ohio State 18-for-22, Harvard 21-for-26
Extra Man: Ohio State 2-for-2, Harvard 2-for-5
Saves: Ohio State 10, Harvard 10
Turnovers: Ohio State 22, Harvard 20
Scoring (G-A-P): Myers (5-6-11), Reid (4-0-4), Hughes (1-2-3), Smith (3-0-0), Knox (2-0-2), Allen (1-0-1), DiCicco (1-0-1), Wiseman (0-1-1)

What’s Next
Ohio State finishes its three-game road trip next Saturday, March 5, when it travels to Ithaca, N.Y. to tangle with No. 12 Cornell (2-0) at noon. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.