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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – An Ohio State men’s soccer player who was struck by an errant bullet early Sunday morning remains in recovery, but even in doing so is helping the Buckeyes prepare for the NCAA’s final four.
According to coach Brian Maisonneuve, the Buckeyes have gone through a litany of emotions this week after redshirt junior defender Nathan Demian was the victim of a shooting in the 200 block of Chittenden Avenue east of campus.
Maisonneuve said Wednesday the team got to visit Demian, who Columbus police said was shot just before 2:30 a.m. when two vehicles were chasing each other with a person in one vehicle shooting toward the other.
Demian, a bystander, suffered a gunshot wound and was taken to a hospital in serious condition. Police said he is recovering from his injuries and his family is with him.
“It’s been really challenging in a lot of ways,” Maisonneuve said. “Nate is such a huge part of this team, his character, his personality, and what he brings to the field. So, it’s been tough, just not having him around is definitely different, but the guys have really leaned on each other.”
Hours before the shooting, Demian started and helped the No. 1-seeded Buckeyes to a 3-0 win over Wake Forest at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in a quarterfinal of the NCAA tournament. Demian has started 14 games for the Buckeyes, including three postseason home games.
“He’s left his imprint on the guys of what he does just in terms of competitiveness, so he definitely is going to be with us (in spirit) from that standpoint,” Maisonneuve said.
The Buckeyes advanced to the College Cup in Cary, North Carolina, where they will face No. 12-seed Marshall in a national semifinal Friday night. Demian was able to give the team extra motivation leading up to the match.
“We had the opportunity to see Nate it was great for the guys, just his words, his encouragement, I mean you could feel it,’ Maisonneuve said. “It was awesome for the guys to hear and to feel, and that will definitely carry with them into the game.”
