Marquette rallies past Cleveland State 9-7 at Krenzler Field after late second-half surge
Marquette overturns early deficit in Cleveland
Marquette men’s lacrosse scored five times in the fourth quarter Saturday, February 21, 2026, to defeat Cleveland State 9-7 at Krenzler Field in Cleveland. The result left Cleveland State still seeking its first win of the season while Marquette secured a comeback victory built on a decisive late-game run.
Cleveland State established control early. The Vikings scored first and carried a 2-1 lead after the opening quarter, then extended the advantage to 3-1 at halftime. The defensive tempo and shot selection in the first half limited Marquette’s scoring opportunities and kept the Golden Eagles from generating sustained momentum.
Game swung after halftime as Marquette’s offense accelerated
Marquette’s push began after the break. The Golden Eagles scored three goals in the third quarter, cutting into the deficit while Cleveland State answered to maintain a narrow 5-4 lead entering the final period. The final 15 minutes became the turning point: Marquette produced five goals in the fourth quarter to flip the scoreline and create separation down the stretch, while Cleveland State managed two goals in response.
Marquette’s rally was led by attacker Nolan Rappis, who finished with four goals and two assists. Carsen Brandt added a goal and three assists, and Matt Caputo contributed two goals and an assist. Defensively, Marquette produced 12 caused turnovers and held Cleveland State to 28 shots, helping to limit late possessions as the comeback progressed.
Possession and turnover margins shaped the outcome
The statistical profile reflected a game increasingly driven by possession and efficiency as it moved into the second half. Marquette finished with advantages in shots (39-28) and turnovers committed by the opponent (Cleveland State 19 to Marquette 13). Faceoffs were nearly even (Marquette 10, Cleveland State 9) and ground balls were level at 36 apiece, underscoring that the separation came less from overall loose-ball volume and more from Marquette’s ability to turn defensive pressure into scoring opportunities late.
- Marquette: 39 shots; 12 caused turnovers; 9 goals
- Cleveland State: 28 shots; 7 caused turnovers; 7 goals
- Ground balls: tied 36-36; faceoffs: Marquette 10-9
What it means for Cleveland State’s early season
The loss continued a challenging opening stretch for Cleveland State, which began the season with road defeats at Denver (20-1), at Ohio State (17-7) and at Bellarmine (10-7) before returning home to face Marquette. Saturday’s game offered the Vikings their most sustained lead to date in 2026, but the closing quarter highlighted the difficulty of protecting advantages without consistent late-game possession and clean exits against pressure.
Marquette entered the fourth quarter down one and finished the period with five goals to close out a 9-7 win.
Next game
Marquette is scheduled to continue its road trip against Detroit Mercy on Monday, February 23, 2026.