COLUMBUS, Ohio – Mac Costin recorded his first hat trick as a member of Penn State men's lacrosse, but the Nittany Lions dropped their road game to No. 11 Ohio State 18-9 Friday night at Ohio Stadium.
Penn State, which was playing its fifth nationally-ranked opponent in the past six games, fell to 2-8 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten. The previous four ranked opponents were all in the top 10. The Buckeyes improved to 7-3 overall and 1-1 in the conference.
Redshirt freshman Hudson Bohn was solid on faceoffs, winning 53 percent (16-30) against an Ohio State team that entered the game as the fourth-best faceoff team in the country at 64 percent.
Despite the advantage in faceoffs, the Lions weren't able to get as many opportunities as Ohio State, trailing by 10 in shots on goal (30-20). Colby Smith led the attack for the Buckeyes with five goals and one assist. Jackson Reid finished with three goals and three assists, while Jack Myers tallied four goals and one assist.
Redshirt freshman Jeb Brenfleck scored a pair of goals for Penn State. Senior Jack Kelly and freshman Will Peden each contributed one goal and one assist. Senior Dan Reaume finished with two assists, while sophomore Jake Morin and junior Jack Posey each scored once. Posey's goal was the first of his career.
Costin, Peden, freshman Pup Buono, senior Brian Townsend, and junior Sutton Boland each caused one turnover for the Lions.
The teams battled close through the first quarter with Ohio State taking a 4-3 lead, but the Buckeyes pulled away with a big 6-1 advantage in the second quarter.
Costin's hat trick came with goals in the first, third and fourth quarters.
Penn State now holds a 19-7 lead in the all-time series with Ohio State, including a 9-3 record under head coach Jeff Tambroni.
The Lions return to action with a game against Michigan on Friday at Panzer Stadium. The team will honor its senior players prior to the game.
