Home Game Hits: October Sports Recap

Homecoming season invites Polar Bears from all walks of life to reminisce on college experiences and celebrate orange and black pride. The sporting events held throughout the celebratory weekend marked the beginning of a victorious month for athletics.

Let’s review some of October’s most memorable sports moments on campus.

Men’s Soccer

The men’s soccer team wrapped up Homecoming with a 1-0 victory against Marietta. It was a difficult matchup, and tensions between the teams steadily increased as no one scored in the first half of the game. The Polar Bears took a total of 37 shots against Marietta’s defense and secured the game-winning point in the 63rd minute.  

The team concluded October with a 1-0 win over Wilmington to claim the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) regular season title. The Polar Bears are no strangers to tundra-like weather and were unfazed by the dreary conditions that night. In fact, the team was so hyped that they scored the game’s only goal less than four minutes into the game, making the 2025 season the first time men’s soccer has gone undefeated in the regular season. 

Football

The football team’s five-game winning streak this season reached its peak on Homecoming weekend. Marietta’s team appeared to be a lighter matchup as Ohio Northern triumphed the game with a final score of 42-9. Cheers from students and alumni roared through the stands to celebrate a joyous win for the Polar Bear community. 

Volleyball

There are two notable volleyball teams the Polar Bears challenged on their home court this month: Otterbein and Mount Union. The matches demonstrated the team’s resilience in the face of adversity despite having different outcomes. 

Otterbein was a formidable opponent that pushed the team to play a strong offense and defense. The two teams were neck and neck for the majority of the match. The Polar Bears fell short in the first two sets, ending 27-25 and 25-23. Determined to overcome the setbacks they experienced in the first half, the team pushed through exhaustion to secure a win in the third set. 

The following match against Mount Union was an opportunity for the team to show its true grit. Mount Union had skilled athletes, but Ohio Northern’s team performed as a stronger unit. Each Polar Bear remained focused on the task at hand by communicating with their teammates and persevering through the lengthy rallies. Finishing their last home game of the month with a 3-1 win is a confidence boost for the rest of the season.

Men’s Lacrosse

This month’s honorable mention goes to the men’s lacrosse team for celebrating 10 years of their program. The program’s youth at Ohio Northern has not put a limit on the team’s success. In the past year alone, the team advanced to the OAC Championship for the first time, emerging victorious, and eventually reached the NCAA Division III Championship. 

More than 320 athletes, alumni, and friends attended a joyous anniversary celebration at the countryside venue Liberty Oaks. The event connected current students with program alumni to reminisce on fond memories and honor the legacy of those who made the team a success.

Takeaways

The Homecoming events at the beginning of the month reminded athletes of what truly matters: community. Surrounding yourself with supportive teammates and constructive coaches can shape your college experience and the life you build after graduation. Reconnecting with alumni has helped reignite a sense of Polar Bear pride across campus and was an effective way to kick off a month of challenging opponents.