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Alphabetical 2014 NCAA D1 Preview: Ohio State

The NCAA D1 season is now underway! During the first couple of weeks of lacrosse season we’ll be finishing up the Alphabetical 2014 NCAA D1 Previews! Like last year, we are going through all of the D1 men’s teams for 2014 (there are 67 this year!) and we are now moving on to the Ohio State Buckeyes, located in Columbus, OH.

Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan

The Ohio State Buckeyes went 13-4 in 2013 and made their arrival into the upper echelons of D1 college lacrosse known to all. OSU is here to stay, and looking pretty solid again in 2014. OSU’s only losses last year were to Denver (by 1 goal), Notre Dame, Loyola, and Cornell. Their 16-6 loss to Cornell was their largest margin of defeat all year. Wins over Penn State, Virginia, Air Force, Loyola, Denver, and Towson proved OSU could play with anyone.

2014 sees Ohio State play in the ECAC once again, before moving to the Big Ten. Loyola is gone, but Fairfield is good pick up for SOS and conference play, and OSU will now face Hopkins (to open the season), followed by UMass, Penn State, Hofstra, Bellarmine, Denver, and Notre Dame. All should be tough games for the Buckeyes. There are some easier games mixed in as well as OSU faces Marquette, Jacksonville, and Delaware.

OSU obviously has to replace Logan Schuss on offense, and Dominique Alexander in the midfield and that is a tall order. At attack, both Carter Brown and Adam Trombley return after combining for 53 points last year. Gordie Korber is now at OSU (he was at Denver) and the big attackman should fill the third spot. Reegan Comeault and Tyler Pfister are two more players that could push for more time after solid 2013 seasons.

Jesse King will once again lead OSU’s offensive midfield, and if he has another 55 point season, Ohio State will be in a pretty good place! Turner Evans, David Planning, and Charlie Schnider add solid experience and options behind King. Michael Italiano gives OSU a good presence between the lines, and he can be a threat in transition. OSU has a number of midfielders with good size, and this should help them find a replacement by committee for Alexander.

Darius Bowling will continue to see time at LSM, and could contribute to face off wins by taking draws or on the wings. Kacy Kapinos looks like the early favorite to take a lot of draws, but Steve Knezick could help on face offs as well. OSU has a couple options there, and it could play out well for them, even with the graduation of Trey Wilkes.

Dom Imbordino returns for his Sr year after starting every game as a Jr. Joe Meurer returns after starting every game as a sophomore. Robby Haus is back for his sophomore year on defense for OUS after starting every game as a freshman. Bowling is back. Luke Miller played in 11 games, and made some starts. He’s back. Evan Mulchrone played in 15 games as an LSM. Ryan Borcherding and Chris Mahoney could see more time… OSU’s long pole core is absolutely stacked with returners.

How about goal? Does OSU return anything there? You betcha! They have two seniors on the roster in Greg Dutton and Scott Spencer. Dutton started 15 games. Spencer started 2 and played in 5. Both are talented, and even if Dutton is the starter, Spencer is a great back up option. Depth at pole, depth in goal. OSU is loaded up!

NCAA Men's Lacrosse Division 1 Quaterfinals_ Ohio State vs Cornell

While the Buckeyes have lost two or three key players from last year’s squad, I do not expect them to take a step down in any way. They had some tight games last year, and could see much of the same thing year, but they will be competitive and dangerous. As the end of the season approaches, look for the Buckeyes to settle in completely and go on a run. 2014 might actually be the Buckeyes’ year!

For more NCAA D1 Lacrosse coverage, check out Alphabetical 2013 NCAA D1 Preview: Air ForceAlbanyArmyBellarmineBinghamtonBostonBrownBryantBucknellCanisius,
Colgate,  CornellDartmouthDelawareDetroitDrexelDukeFairfieldFurman,
GeorgetownHartfordHarvardHigh PointHobartHofstraHoly CrossJacksonvilleJohns_HopkinsLafayetteLehighLoyolaManhattanMaristMarquette,
MarylandMassachusettsMercerMichiganMonmouthNavyNorth Carolina,
and Notre Dame.