TicketsCINCINNATI — The University of Cincinnati lacrosse team kicks off its home slate against Ohio State at 3 p.m. ET on Monday at Nippert Stadium.
The match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Cincinnati looks to carry momentum into the matchup after a commanding 17-7 road win over Wofford on Friday.
// DOMINATING THE DRAW
Led by sophomore Morgan Handzel, the Bearcats have dominated the draw through their opening three matchups. Handzel has totaled 29 draw controls this season, including 14 against Xavier — the second-most in a single game in program history. The Bearcats are averaging 19 draws won per contest — tied for fifth nationally — while posting a .667 draw percentage that ranks 10th in the country.
// LAST TIME OUT
The Bearcats cruised to a 17-9 victory over Wofford at Gibbs Stadium, using an 8-2 run spanning the second and third quarters to seize control. UC led 12-6 entering the fourth before rattling off five consecutive goals to secure the 10-point win.
Sophomore Paige Selhorn commanded the offense with a career-high eight points on four goals and four assists while adding two forced turnovers. Junior Paige Counts recorded her first hat trick of the season and has scored two or more goals in all three games this year. Sophomore Payton Kozina netted her first career hat trick, finishing with three goals on three shots.
Junior Lilly Stelzer led the possession effort with six ground balls and two goals, while sophomore Alyse Keels posted a career-high five ground balls to go along with two goals and two caused turnovers.
Cincinnati dominated the draw circle, 17-9, behind nine draw controls from Handzel and held a decisive 29-16 edge in shots on goal.
// SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes enter Monday’s matchup at 1-1 on the season, featuring a veteran core and three Big Ten Players to Watch in seniors Camryn Callaghan and Jocelyn Torres and junior Kate Tyack.
Most recently, the Buckeyes earned an 11-10 double-overtime victory at Louisville. Ohio State built a 10-5 lead through three quarters before surrendering five unanswered goals in the fourth to force overtime. After outshooting the Cardinals 6-0 in the first extra period but failing to convert, Tyack sealed the win with her fourth goal of the day with 48 seconds remaining in the second overtime.
Tyack, who leads the team with six goals this season, paced the Buckeyes with four goals in the win and owns seven career games with four or more goals. Zoe Coleman added a hat trick, while Callaghan recorded a career-best three assists and continues to serve as the team’s primary facilitator. Callaghan, who transferred from Cincinnati prior to last season, carries a 17-game point streak into Monday’s contest and ranks first on the team with nine points.
In the cage, Torres provides veteran leadership. The senior captain made 12 saves against Louisville and started all 15 games last season, finishing among the NCAA leaders in save percentage (.496) and goals-against average (9.49).
Ohio State controlled possession in the win, outshooting Louisville 39-31 and winning 18 of 26 draws, including an 11-of-12 mark in the first half behind Maeve Simonds’ five draw controls. The Buckeyes return five of their top seven scorers from a season ago and rely on a balanced attack, draw control efficiency and experienced leadership to generate offense.
// SERIES HISTORY
Ohio State owns an 11-2 all-time record against Cincinnati. In the most recent meeting on March 7, 2025, the Buckeyes won a nail-biter in Columbus, narrowly winning the contest, 10-9.
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati Lacrosse, please visit GoBEARCATS.com and follow @GoBearcatsLAX on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.