As we get further into this season, I’m becoming more convinced that this team is just a slightly-worse-on-offense version of last year’s team.
This team is very inefficient on offense, as demonstrated by its abysmal shot on goal percentage of . The final score belies the fact that the Buckeyes needed an ungodly number of shots to get there. Through 3 quarters, the Buckeyes had a shot percentage right at 25%. That’s abysmal. Even at 16-4, Ohio State was at 27.6%.
The Buckeyes were utterly dominant on defense all game, which enabled the team to rack up 16 goals like a juggernaut would. There’s not a doubt in my mind that we’ll be hurt again, watching the game today.
Offensively, Bellarmine had absolutely nothing going. The Buckeyes improved dramatically in transition over last season, with the Knights finding nowhere to go fast.
Bellarmine struggled to succeed at just about anything with the ball in their sticks. Ohio State mauled Bellarmine’s middies with their short sticks all day. I am firmly of the belief that the coaching staff wildly underestimated Utah and purposely started the newest SSDMs, only realizing their mistake after giving up 6 goals in a quarter.
Additionally, the Knights got wrecked by close defenders all day. No one could get past van Buren and the other Buckeye boys, with turnovers aplenty. Ohio State ended up with 18 caused turnovers, which is just insane.
Honestly, it was an impressive display for the Buckeyes from top to bottom on defense. Caleb Fyock probably had the quietest day of lacrosse he has ever had. If the Buckeyes get this kind of defense from the team long-term, things aren’t quite as bleak as they could have been.
Defensively, Bellarmine really limited the Buckeyes through a mixture of aggressive play, good goalie play, and Ohio State’s inability to hit the net. Ohio State ended up getting just 53.4% of its shots on goal. The Buckeyes also really struggled early on to beat defenders with the dodge. Garrett Haas was decent early, and good once the Bellarmine defense was worn out.
Haas was the most effective offensive player for the Buckeyes, scoring and dishing out assists with abandon. Haas, Donnery, and McKenna would probably be the best and most effective Ohio State attack line, given Marinier’s inability to get shots on goal.
Haas and Shean on opposite sides of the field would be absolutely deadly. Of course, that being the case, it will never happen and we will have to watch this offense struggle mightily as the nonconference slate gets tougher.
Somehow, Ohio State has decided to be good at faceoffs again, and the Buckeyes utterly dominated the Knights all game long. There was nothing that Bellarmine could do to stem the tide, as the Buckeyes just crushed them. Absolutely crushed them.
Winning 71% of the draws will always be a great way to win. I know this trend won’t continue, but thanks to this resurgence and the defense, Ohio State was able to dominate a lesser team without really being all that good with the ball. That’s something to enjoy and appreciate.
Overall, the trends we are seeing with this team are not exactly inspiring. The defense looks really good against bad teams when matched up one on one. As a unit, the Buckeyes continue to be a little weak on the backside.
Offensively, the Buckeyes are getting worse. The efficiency has been getting weaker game after game, despite the teams played not getting better. Faceoffs are getting really schizophrenic, though some of the success can be attributed to how big the talent disparity is between the Buckeyes and recent opponents. If Ohio State stays above 50% on faceoffs, and plays exceptional defense on ball with improvements off ball, then there’s the tiniest glimmer of hope.
If things don’t continue to improve, then the Virginia game is going to be the beginning of the end. That run of Virginia, Notre Dame, and Denver is going to genuinely be the season. I’m getting a bit itchy thinking about it. Air Force is up next, marking a small uptick in difficulty for the Buckeyes.
Go Bucks!
