Michigan Downs Rutgers, Sets Up Title Clash with Ohio State

With an 8-6 victory, Michigan earned its first ever win over Rutgers on the road.  Bo Lockwood and Ryan Cohen added three points apiece in the triumph. The Wolverines will face Ohio State next weekend with the Big Ten regular-season championship on the line.

ISCATAWAY, N.J. — The No. 14-ranked University of Michigan men’s lacrosse team earned its first-ever road win over No. 18 Rutgers on Sunday (April 13), pulling out an 8-6 victory in a tightly contested battle at SHI Stadium. With the win, the Wolverines remain in the hunt for the Big Ten title, setting up a winner-take-all game against rival Ohio State next Saturday (April 19) in Ann Arbor. The Michigan (7-5, 3-1 Big Ten) defense bounced back after conceding the game’s first two goals, forcing five turnovers in the opening seven minutes. The Scarlet Knights (6-7, 2-2 Big Ten) drew four first-half man-up opportunities but were held to just four shots and no goals during those two minutes of advantaged play.

The Wolverine defense caused double-digit turnovers for the third straight game, led by Pace Billings, who tallied three caused turnovers. Sophomore Max Bonner matched his career high with two caused turnovers, while Mason Whitney and Kees Van Wees each added two of their own. Six different Wolverines scored, including Ryan Cohen, who recorded his 21st consecutive multi-point performance and extended his point streak to 60 games.

After a scoreless second quarter, Bo Lockwood sparked the Michigan offense with back-to-back goals in the third quarter as part of his three-point day. Senior Aidan Mulholland added another third-quarter goal after closing a 3-0 Wolverine run in the first quarter that stopped Rutgers’ early momentum.

An unassisted goal from Alex Lobel gave Michigan its first two-goal lead with 13:38 left in the fourth quarter, and Cohen added a goal at the nine-minute mark to secure the win.

Michigan’s third Big Ten win of the season marks a new program record for conference victories in a single campaign. The Wolverines will host No. 8 Ohio State at 4 p.m. next Saturday (April 19) inside U-M Lacrosse Stadium, where the winner will be crowned the 2025 Big Ten regular-season champion. The game will also serve as Senior Day for the Wolverines.