No. 12 Virginia men's lacrosse endured a brutal 14-5 defeat at the hands of Ohio State Saturday afternoon, marking the team's second gutting loss of the season. The Cavaliers (2-2, 0-0, ACC) were unable to gain their footing against the Buckeyes (5-1, 0-0, Big Ten) in their first road game this spring. This result not only puts Virginia on shaky ground at the beginning of the season, but also raises concerns about the team's ability to perform at its expected highest level moving forward.
The Cavaliers came into this matchup with high expectations despite their loss to Richmond Feb. 15. After shaking that off with a victory over High Point Tuesday, Coach Lars Tiffany’s bunch was well-positioned to get back on track. The last time the two teams met, last season, No. 3 Virginia was able to finish the game with a 14-8 win over No. 20 Ohio State. However, this time, Virginia was outmatched from the start — struggling to establish any offensive rhythm against the Buckeyes’ disciplined and aggressive defense.
The Cavaliers’ offensive firepower — featuring standouts in junior attackman Ryan Colsey, senior midfielder Griffin Schultz and sophomore attackman McCabe Millon — has been seen as one of the most productive units in the nation. Yet, against Ohio State's suffocating defensive pressure, Virginia failed to generate quality scoring opportunities. In goal for the Buckeyes, sophomore goalkeeper Caleb Fyock turned in a stellar 12-save performance to keep the Cavaliers’ attack in check.
Ohio State's defense was especially effective in limiting Virginia's ball movement, forcing turnovers in key situations — the Cavaliers’ offensive frustrations culminated in their first loss by more than five goals since the 2024 Final Four versus Maryland — a stark contrast to a usually productive offense.
And while Virginia struggled to find the back of the net, the Buckeyes’ attack thrived — capitalizing on defensive lapses by the Cavaliers. With two Buckeyes recording hat tricks, Virginia's inability to contain Ohio State's attack led to one of its most lopsided defeats in recent history.
The Cavalier defense struggled just as much as its offense did. Ohio State's fast-paced offense put relentless pressure on Virginia’s defensive unit, exposing gaps in coverage and forcing junior goalkeeper Kyle Morris and senior goalkeeper Matthew Nunes to make difficult saves. However, any semblance of a defensive stand was not enough to slow down the Buckeyes’ rhythm, as they continued to find high-percentage shots and finish with accuracy.
This loss raises concerns about the Cavaliers’ ability to compete at the highest level. The large margin of defeat was reminiscent of an 18-9 NCAA Tournament quarterfinal loss to Maryland in 2022. This defeat also raises concerns about Virginia's ability to respond to tough situations — as the program fell out of the top-10 in the USILA national rankings for the first time since 2020 following the Richmond loss. The Cavaliers are at risk of a further decline if adjustments are not made quickly.
Virginia’s recent struggles have been particularly surprising given its traditionally strong performances early in the season. However, uncharacteristic mistakes have plagued the team over the past week. The Cavaliers will need to quickly address these issues if they hope to remain competitive in a loaded schedule.
With a daunting three-game road stretch ahead, Virginia faces an uphill battle to regain its footing. The Cavaliers will travel to No. 4 Johns Hopkins next Saturday for the Doyle Smith Cup — a crucial test against another top-tier program. A loss in Baltimore would push Tiffany’s squad even further down the rankings and create even more uncertainty about their postseason prospects. If the Cavaliers hope to salvage their season, a significant turnaround will be necessary.
Despite the rough start to the season, there is still time for Virginia to recalibrate. The talent on this roster is undeniable, and when playing at their best, the Cavaliers remain one of the most dangerous teams in the country. However, after two losses in eight days, including the humbling performance in Columbus, the urgency to correct course has never been higher.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Virginia can bounce back from this adversity or if these losses signal deeper concerns. Either way, their response against Johns Hopkins will set the tone for the rest of the season. Cavalier fans and the lacrosse world alike will be watching closely to see how this talented but inconsistent Virginia team rises — or falls — to the challenge ahead.
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