Coming off an 11-10 loss to then No. 2-ranked Maryland last weekend in Atlanta, the two-time defending champion Irish were hoping to get back into the win column Saturday in South Bend. But despite a hot start, Notre Dame suffered its second consecutive crushing defeat.
Photo by University of Notre Dame Athletics
The Irish (3-2), entered Saturday's affair no strangers to success in the longstanding rivalry with the Buckeyes. In 48 previous meetings, the white and gold owned a dominant mark of 36-12, including last season's 13-10 triumph in Columbus.
And while Notre Dame -- who lost its number one ranking following last weekend's loss to the Terrapins -- jumped on the Buckeyes early, the visitors were able to rebound in a big way en route to pulling off the upset.
Despite being outshot 15-7 in the opening frame, the Irish -- thanks to consecutive goals by Will Maheras (third of the season), Jordan Faison (4th), and Devon McLane (4th) -- jumped out to an early 3-1 lead. And while the shot opportunities would increase heading into the second quarter, Notre Dame simply could not find the back of the net.
McLane's tally would come with 4:12 remaining in the first period, and it would be more than 15 minutes before the Irish recorded another score. During the drought -- which was largely caused by the strong play of OSU keeper Caleb Fyock and the Buckeyes defense as a whole -- the ND defensive unit would surrender three goals of its own, as the Irish found themselves on the wrong end of a 4-3 contest.
Though they would grab the lead back before halftime and take a 5-4 advantage into the break, three consecutive strikes by the visiting Buckeyes midway through the third put the Irish in a hole, as this time they trailed 7-5.
But, as they've done time after time, including last weekend against Maryland, the Irish fought back to reclaim the lead just inside the halfway point of the final quarter.
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Trailing 8-6 entering the final period, Notre Dame received a much-needed goal from Chris Kavanagh (15th) to bring the home squad back to within one. And when Will Angrick buried his second straight goal in less than one minute and second of the game with 7:55 left to go, the Irish were once again leading the contest.
Despite yet another rally, however, the Irish were unable to maintain that lead. Liam White would pull the Buckeyes even at 9-9 with 4:31 remaining, but it was OSU's Shane O'Leary who picked up the biggest play of the game.
With seven seconds left in regulation time, O'Leary -- who scored the first of three straight for OSU to start the third period -- buried the game-winner off a feed from teammate Garrett Haas, giving Ohio State the signature victory, while sending Notre Dame to its second straight one-goal defeat.
In the loss, Irish netminder Thomas Ricciardelli collected 20 saves on 30 shots, with Kavanagh and Angrick finding the back of the net twice each.
What’s Next for the Irish?
Notre Dame travels to Ann Arbor for a date with Michigan on March 15. The Irish hold a 6-1 mark all-time against the Wolverines.
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