Home Game Hits: May Sports Recap

The spring season ended in many victories for Ohio Northern athletics. Conference play dominated the schedule, and the Polar Bears spent the past month traveling across the country for Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) titles and NCAA Division III tournaments.

Take a look at the Polar Bears’ triumphant season finale.

Men’s Lacrosse

The men’s lacrosse team claimed its second consecutive OAC championship title with a victory over No. 1 seed Baldwin Wallace (BW). Precision was critical after a close 15-14 loss to BW two weeks earlier, so the Polar Bears used time between matches to refine their skills.

The championship game opened as a tight battle, with Ohio Northern scoring first before BW responded with two goals. Back-and-forth scoring continued until the second half where the Polar Bears emerged from the locker room with renewed energy and a determination to win. Ohio Northern secured the championship title with a 15-7 win. Athletes Ryan Frech, Peyton Lich, Rudy DeFilippis and Jack Chaney received OAC All-Tournament Team recognition, with Chaney additionally being named Tournament MVP.

Ohio Northern advanced to the NCAA Division III Championships for the second time in program history, facing Concordia (Wis.) in the first round. The team defeated Concordia 16-4 before traveling to Connecticut to face Wesleyan University, where it ultimately fell short. Despite the loss, the season featured challenging opponents and valuable lessons that will continue to shape the program’s future.

Women’s Golf

Ohio Northern’s women’s golf team secured its fourth OAC Championship this season. The Polar Bears rebounded from a five shot deficit to win the tournament by five strokes. Marisa Alfes, Mallory Meister and Addison Williams finished top five and earned All-OAC Tournament Team honors.

The team received an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships in Palm Desert, California. Programs from across the country will compete over four days in a 72-hole test of consistency and endurance.

Women’s Track and Field

The women’s track and field team claimed its third consecutive OAC championship title thanks to a four-point lead. Senior Samantha Roth was named OAC Women’s Outdoor Distance Runner of the Year after winning the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter races and moving to eighth all-time at Ohio Northern in the 5,000.

The Polar Bears continued their season at last-chance meets hosted by Baldwin Wallace and Mount Union. NCAA Championship competition will take place in late May in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Men’s and Women’s Tennis

Both the men’s and women’s tennis teams won their respective OAC Championships and earned automatic bids to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The women secured the conference title for the third straight year, while the men extended their streak to five consecutive championships.

The men’s team defeated Lake Forest (Ill.) 4-2 in the first round before falling to No. 5 Case Western Reserve in the second round. The women’s team ended its season in the first round with a 5-1 loss to Hope (Mich.). The postseason results highlighted dominance in the OAC and contained valuable experience on the national stage.

Takeaways

The 2025-26 academic year featured memorable victories, notable team transformations and tough losses that became constructive learning moments for athletes. Let us always cherish those special moments as we part ways throughout the summer and remember the Polar Bear community that shaped who we are today.