Ohio State Buckeyes Men’s soccer defender Nathan Demian was accidentally injured in an off-campus shooting after the team advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament, the school said in a statement Monday.
Demian was injured in a shooting around 2 a.m. ET. Columbus police said two vehicles were chasing each other and firing guns at each other when Demian was struck, police said. the Columbus dispatch.
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Ohio State defenseman Nathan Demian takes the court for the NCAA Tournament quarterfinal against Wake Forest, Dec. 7, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
He was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The Columbus Dispatch reported that Demian was expected to survive. No suspects were immediately identified.
The school said Demian was “an innocent bystander” and was not involved in the altercation.
“The football program is grateful for the incredible university support and medical care available to Nathan and his family during this difficult time,” the school said in a statement. “Nathan’s family is with him and the team is very close. The family has asked that everyone keep Nathan in their prayers. The department will do everything we can to support Nathan, his family and the men’s soccer program in any way possible.”
“Due to the ongoing police investigation, the department cannot discuss the incident further.”
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Demian, from Canada, will be sidelined for the NCAA College Cup semi-final against Marshall. The shooting occurred after the team defeated Wake Forest in the Elite Eight.
Ohio State defenseman Nathan Demian is seen during the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals, Dec. 7, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“We’re going to miss him on the field. But he’s such a big personality,” Ohio State head coach Brian Maisonneuve told reporters on Monday. “He really gets everyone talking, both in training and in matches. He has a great voice. He is a character in the best possible way. And, like I said, his play speaks for itself. He is a competitor and It’s going to be difficult.” not to have him there.”
Demian is a redshirt junior from Vancouver. He was named to the Academic All-Big Ten Conference in 2022 and 2023 and to the Wolstein Classic All-Tournament Team in 2022.
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He missed his entire junior year due to an injury.
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