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No. 9 Maryland women’s lacrosse vs. Ohio State preview

Published

10 months ago

April 12, 2025

No. 9 Maryland women’s lacrosse vs. Ohio State preview

Just three games stand between No. 9 Maryland women’s lacrosse (9-4) and the start of postseason play. The Terps have a short period of time to shore up their recent issues, all of which were evident in their last game.

Maryland’s second-quarter struggles loomed large throughout its four-game road trip, and that continued against No. 11 Virginia. The Terps conceded three five-goal second quarter performances, exceeding its total from the first nine contests.

Despite taking the lead early in the second quarter, Maryland surrendered five of the next six goals, handing the Cavaliers an advantage they wouldn’t relinquish. While the Terps’ offense mustered up just nine goals, Lauren LaPointe notched her third hat trick of the season.

Now, Maryland returns to College Park for a Big Ten clash with Ohio State on Sunday. The game starts at 1 p.m. and can be streamed on Big Ten Plus.

Ohio State Buckeyes (8-5, 1-5 Big Ten)

Head coach Amanda Moore inherited an Ohio State program trending in the wrong direction. The Buckeyes — who have made four NCAA Tournament appearances in their 29 years of existence — have gone nearly a decade without a national tournament berth. However, Moore comes with plenty of coaching experience, including two seasons as an assistant at Ohio State prior.

In her first season at the helm, Moore led the Buckeyes to a three-win improvement, finishing with an 8-9 record. Ohio State cruised through nonconference play, its lone loss coming to Denver — a tournament team. But the Buckeyes crumbled in Big Ten play, securing just one victory and finishing tied for last in the conference.

Ohio State matched its win total from last year just eight games into the season, marking the best start in program history. After climbing to No. 19 in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association poll and earning a win in their Big Ten opener, the Buckeyes embarked on a five-game losing streak. Ohio State sits one game out of last place in the conference, ahead of winless Oregon.

Players to know

Brynn Ammerman, senior attacker, No. 10 — Last season’s team leader with 28 assists has taken her game to another level in her final year. Ammerman has solidified her role as the top facilitator, and is one of the best in the country at that. She has totaled the 12th-most assists per game (2.9), while also posting 15 ground balls and 12 goals.

Jocelyn Torres, junior goalkeeper, No. 36 — The Virginia Tech transfer has endured a stellar first season at Ohio State in a conference filled with plenty of talented keepers. Torres has thrived in the spotlight, grasping the starting nod instantly and leaving no doubt about it. Her 50.7% save rate is the eighth-best mark in the nation.

Lilli Sherman, senior defender, No. 41 — After appearing in just five games during her first two seasons, Sherman is now one of the key contributors on the Buckeyes’ defensive unit. The 5-foot-7 Michigan native has registered a team-high 21 caused turnovers — the sixth-highest total in the Big Ten — and corralled 17 ground balls.

Strength

Scoring defense. Ohio State’s shot blocking is much improved from last season when it allowed the most goals in the conference, and Torres is a big reason why. The Buckeyes have conceded the eighth-fewest goals per game in the nation at 8.8.

Weakness

Free-position conversion. While the Buckeyes’ offense has struggled at times this season, they don’t take advantage of their easy looks. Ohio State — who only scores 12.1 goals per game — has turned its 83 free-position shots into 31 goals, one of the lowest percentages in the nation.

Three things to watch

1. Senior day. Sunday’s game will give Maryland fans a chance to honor its six seniors: Sophie Halus, Celia Pell, Hailey Russo, Caroline Smith, Kate Sites and Chrissy Thomas. The Terps’ 2025 senior class has made a lasting impact on the program and will be looking to gain some steam for an extended postseason run.

2. Which goalie makes the biggest contribution? Head coach Cathy Reese has bounced around in net between starter JJ Suriano and freshman Julia Ward. In three of Maryland’s last four contests, Ward has seen extended action as Reese looks for a midgame spark. Suriano has reentered the game twice during this stretch.

2. Big Ten implications. After wrapping up its nonconference slate on Wednesday, the Terps turn their attention back toward Big Ten play. Maryland’s 3-1 record currently sits tied for second in the conference with No. 5 Johns Hopkins, only trailing No. 3 Northwestern — its lone loss during Big Ten competition.

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Northeast Ohio school closures for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026; Cleveland School District plans to resume classes

Published

2 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Press Room

Northeast Ohio school closures for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026; Cleveland School District plans to resume classes

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland Metropolitan School District is going to give it a try Wednesday.

The city’s school district posted a message on its website Tuesday night that it intends to resume classes Wednesday. However, the message says the district intends to monitor weather conditions overnight.

Temperatures are expected to go as low as minus-3 degrees with wind chills at minus-15, according to the National Weather Service. The predicted temperature at 7 a.m. is 1 degree with wind chills at minus-11. A cold weather advisory is in effect until 11 a.m. Wednesday.

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That’s led dozens of districts to already cancel classes for Wednesday, including Akron Public Schools, Avon Lake City Schools, Elyria City Schools, Lorain City Schools, Medina City Schools and Strongsville City Schools.

Below is a list of closures and delays for Wednesday, Jan. 28. For a more complete list that includes day cares, preschools, Head Start programs and church programs, go to the list from cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer news partner WKYC Channel 3.

Academy of St. Bartholomew

Akron Public Schools

Albert Einstein Academy (all campuses)

Amherst Exempted Village Schools

Archbishop Hoban High School

Around the Sun Montessori School

Ashtabula Area City Schools

Ashtabula County Tech Campus

Avon Lake City Schools

Avon Local Schools

Barberton City Schools

Berea City Schools

Bethel Baptist Christian Academy

Black River Career Prep High School

Brooklyn City Schools

Brunswick City Schools

Buckeye Joint Vocational School District

Buckeye Local Schools (Ashtabula County)

Buckeye Local Schools (Medina County)

Building Bridges

C.A.S.T.L.E High School (Parma)

Cascade Career Prep

Central Christian School

Chapel Hill Christian School, North and South

Chippewa Local Schools

Christian Community School

Cleveland Arts & Social Sciences Academy

Clearview Local Schools

Cleveland Central Catholic High School

Cleveland Shambhala Center

Cleveland Sports Academy

Cloverleaf Local Schools

Community Action Head Start (Akron, Barberton)

Conneaut Area City Schools

Constellation School Westpark Community Elementary

Constellation Schools Stockyard Community Middle

Constellation Schools Eastside Arts Academy

Constellation Schools Elyria Community Elementary

Constellation Schools Elyria Community Middle

Constellation Schools Lorain Community Elementary

Constellation Schools Lorain Community Middle

Constellation Schools Madison Community Elementary

Constellation Schools Old Brooklyn Community Middle

Constellation Schools Old Brooklyn Community Elementary

Constellation Schools Parma Community Elementary

Constellation Schools Parma Community Middle

Constellation Schools Parma Community High School

Constellation Schools Parma Community Intermediate

Constellation Schools Puritas Community Elementary

Constellation Schools Puritas Community Middle

Constellation Schools Stockyard Community Elementary

Constellation Schools Westpark Community Middle

Constellation Schools Westside Community School of Arts

Constellation Schools Pearl Road Elementary

Copley Fairlawn City Schools

Cornerstone Community School

Corpus Christi Academy

Coventry Local Schools

Crestwood Local Schools

Cuyahoga Falls City Schools

Dale Roy School

Education Alternatives (Bedford, Brook Park, Elyria, Ravenna, Springfield, Willoughby)

EHOVE Career Center (two-hour delay)

Elyria Catholic High School

Elyria City Schools

Fairlawn Lutheran School

Fairview Park City Schools

Field Local Schools

Geneva Area City Schools

Ginn-Thompson School for Girls

Global Ambassadors Language Academy

Global Village Academy

Gospel Haven Academy (two-hour delay)

Grand Valley Local Schools

GSCELC SCOPE Academy

Hametown Christian Academy

Happy Hearts

Hartville Christian School

Highland Local Schools

Hiram College

Holy Cross Lutheran School

Holy Family (Stow)

Holy Name High School

Horizon Science Academy Denison Middle, Cleveland Middle, High School

I.D.M.R. Akron

Imagine Bella Academy

Immaculate Heart (Cuyahoga Falls)

Incarnate Word Academy Elementary

Innovation Academy West

Insightful Minds

Jefferson Area Local Schools

Kent City Schools

KidsLink School

Kingsway Christian School

Lake Center Christian Schools

Lake Ridge Academy

Lawrence School (Lower, Upper)

Lincoln Park Academy

Lorain City Schools

Lorain Preparatory School

Magnificat High School

Maplewood Career Center

Mayfair Christian School

Medina Christian Academy

Medina City Schools

Medina County Career Center

Midview Local Schools

Mogadore Local Schools

Monroe Preparatory Academy

Noble Academy (Cleveland)

Nordonia Hills City Schools

North Olmsted City Schools

North Ridgeville City Schools

North Royalton City Schools

Northside Christian Academy

Olmsted Falls City Schools

Open Door Christian Schools

Orchard Park Academy (Akron)

Our Lady of Angels Elementary

Our Lady of Elms (all closed)

Padua Franciscan High School

Parma City Schools

Parma Heights Christian Academy

Pathways to Success

Portage Learning Center (Atwater, Kent, Ravenna, Streetsboro)

Positive Education Program

Pymatuning Valley Local Schools

R G Drage Career Center

Ramah Junior Academy

Ravenna School District

Redeemer Christian Elementary

Regina Coeli-St. Joseph

Revere Local Schools

Rising Sun Centers

Royal Redeemer Lutheran

S.U.P.E.R. Learning Center

Seton Catholic School

Sheffield-Sheffield Lake City Schools

Southeast Local Schools (Portage County)

Springfield Local Schools (Summit County)

SS Philip and James School (Canal Fulton)

St. Adalbert (Cleveland)

St. Albert the Great Elementary

St. Angela Merici.

St. Anthony of Padua (Akron, Lorain, Parma)

St. Augustine (Barberton)

St. Charles Borromeo School

St. Columbkille Elementary

St. John Lutheran (Cleveland)

St. John School (Ashtabula)

St. Joseph-Randolph

St. Jude Elementary (Elyria)

St. Leo The Great (Cleveland)

St. Mary Elementary (Elyria)

St. Mary Immaculate (Avon)

St. Mary (Akron)

St. Mary (Berea)

St. Michael Archangel

St. Patrick Elementary (Kent)

St. Paul Lutheran (Westlake)

St. Peter Elementary (Lorain)

St. Peter (North Ridgeville)

St. Sebastian Elementary

St. Stanislaus Elementary

St. Thomas More Elementary

St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (two-hour delay)

STEAM Academy (Warrensville)

STEPS Academy

Stepstone Academy

Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools

Streetsboro City Schools

Strongsville City Schools

Sts. Joseph and John (Strongsville)

Summit Academy Elementary (Akron, Lorain)

Summit Academy (Akron Middle, Secondary)

Summit Academy-Akron Secondary

Summit Christian School

Tallmadge City Schools

The Golden Key School

The Lippman School

Urban Vision (Akron)

Wadsworth City Schools

Warrensville Heights City Schools

Washington Park Community School

Windfall School

Wings of Change

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Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia Has Four Word Phrase As Ohio State Rallying Cry

Published

14 hours ago

January 27, 2026

Press Room

Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia Has Four Word Phrase As Ohio State Rallying Cry

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia isn’t returning to Columbus to mess around. He wants to win and wants to do so immediately to erase the bad taste from the Buckeyes’ Cotton Bowl loss to the Miami Hurricanes last month.

To do so, Patricia needed a mindset shift. It’s one made famous by ex-Ohio State legend Woody Hayes, whose words still resonate with Buckeye faithful to this day.

“You Win With People.”

“When you go into a new building, man, you better leave all that baggage behind,” Patricia said, via The Silver Bulletin.” “You [had] better leave that behind because they don’t deserve it or they’re not there in that same space.”

Patricia wants his players to remember, whether it’s ex-safety Caleb Downs or a practice squad plsyer thst he wants to remain in their life for as long as he can instead of just being transactional.

“I really have a lot of joy in this and love being around the guys and the relationships,” Patricia said. “I’ve got guys that I coached in the 90s, and I’m still really close with, and guys that don’t call, they just be like, ‘Hey, I need your advice on this,’ or after football, career advice and things like that. So I love being that mentor.”

Patricia does tend to use the growth vs. fixed mindset, channeling the growth mindset as his main source of positive coaching.

“I just try to take it one step at a time,” Patricia said. “I always want to have that growth mindset. I always want to be a curious learner.”

Matt Patricia Finds Inner-Motivation to Lead Buckeyes

Nonetheless, though, one thing is non-negotiable.

“I’m gonna give you everything I got,” Patricia said. “I’m really gonna sacrifice everything I can to make sure I come through for you.”

Regardless of the outcome, that’s Patricia’s constant message.

Everything can be reset, which Patricia realized after a failed stint with the Detroit Lions.

“I wasn’t my best version,” Patricia said. “I think learning that is really important. That’s how you get better as a coach, as a person.”

Now, he says feels much better about himself overall. Especially when it comes to mentoring players where he knows they will be successful with the next level like Downs.

“I think just in general with Caleb [Downs], just the amount of experience he has playing football is probably the most important thing,” Patricia said. “And his professionalism, and how he prepares, is probably the best example that I can point to for all the players.”

With Patricia at peace, the Buckeyes defense can move forward as well.

It remains to be seen whether everything pays off. Come August, we will find out.

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3 thoughts on Ohio State hiring Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator

Published

1 day ago

January 27, 2026

Press Room

3 thoughts on Ohio State hiring Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator

Ohio State is set to bring in Arthur Smith as its next offensive coordinator, replacing Brian Hartline, who was recently named the head coach at South Florida.

Here are three thoughts on Smith’s imminent hire:

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day values NFL experience

The hire follows a familiar pattern, as Smith is the latest coordinator to bring an NFL background to Ohio State.

Six of the eight offensive and defensive play-callers hired by Day over his tenure have spent previous years in the NFL.

Smith’s career arc most closely mirrors Matt Patricia, the Buckeyes’ current defensive coordinator. Both were rising stars during the 2010s and landed head-coaching jobs at the peak of their ascents before washing out and returning to roles as coordinators.

After Smith was fired by the Atlanta Falcons at the end of 2023, he spent two seasons as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator, helping them to twice reach the playoffs.

The approach worked well with Patricia, who elevated the Ohio State defense with NFL-style concepts that ranged from multiple fronts to coverage disguises as he replaced Jim Knowles last offseason. The Buckeyes finished 2025 with the best defense in the Football Bowl Subdivision, allowing the fewest points per game since Alabama 2011.

It figured to be worth repeating on the other side of the ball, especially after Day had relied on a first-time play-caller last year in Hartline, who had been the Buckeyes’ wide receivers coach before the promotion.

The experience of the 43-year-old Smith also allows Day to continue in a CEO-style role after remaining the primary play-caller for the offense in his first five seasons at the helm of the program. Day began delegating play-calling in 2024, though he briefly returned to the role for the College Football Playoff in December.

Arthur Smith adds a complementary strength

Smith’s best year as an offensive coordinator was with the Tennessee Titans in 2020.

The Titans were one of the highest-scoring offenses in league with an average of 30.7 points per game that ranked fourth out of 32 teams. They leaned on star running back Derrick Henry, who became only the eighth running back to rush for 2,000 yards in a season.

The Titans also finished drives during Smith’s two years as coordinator, ranking first in 2019 and second in 2020 for their red-zone touchdown percentage. They reached the end zone on three out of every four trips inside opponents’ 20-yard line.

If the success translates to Ohio State, it would pair well with the vertical passing that has long been the defining strength of Day’s offenses.

There were only five FBS quarterbacks in 2025 who completed more deep balls, as defined by Pro Football Focus as passes traveling at least 20 yards, than redshirt freshman Julian Sayin.

But the Buckeyes experienced a drop-off with both their running game, which went from 5 yards per carry in 2024 to 4.6 yards in 2025, and red-zone efficiency, where their touchdown percentage of 75.81% fell to 66.67%.

Smith should help in both areas, potential improvement that would enhance an offense that remains stacked with talent due to the return of Sayin and star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

The absence of Chip Kelly, the former offensive coordinator who elevated the Buckeyes’ running game during their national championship season, was noticeable last fall.

The hope for the Buckeyes is that Smith can help them to rediscover the balance.

Scheme is the priority at Ohio State

Two assistants will replace Hartline.

Day made the first hire earlier in January with Cortez Hankton as receivers coach before finding Smith.

The addition of Smith will leave Ohio State with a staff of 11 primary on-field assistant coaches, one more than in recent seasons.

The expansion is the result of the NCAA’s removal of limit on staff sizes, a rule change introduced in 2024 allowing schools to hire an unlimited number of assistants to coach during practices and games.

The only restriction that remains in effect involves recruiting. FBS teams can send only 10 assistants off campus to recruit in addition to their head coach.

The current setup suggests Smith would not be out recruiting. It would be a rare arrangement for a coordinator, but not unprecedented, as Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has other assistants on the road in place of offensive coordinator Chad Morris and defensive coordinator Tom Allen.

As Ohio State moves in a similar direction, it would leave Smith largely focused on game planning and play-calling for their offense without having to travel for recruiting.

Smith would also be Day’s first offensive coordinator without being assigned to a position group.

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow along on Bluesky, Instagram and X for more.

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