Ohio State Soccer Player Nathan Demian in Serious Condition After Shooting

The Ohio State athletic department announced Monday that men's soccer player Nathan Demian was shot off campus and taken to the hospital.

Bailey Gallion of the Columbus Dispatch noted Demian was listed in serious condition but expected to survive.

"Following the Ohio State men's soccer match with Wake Forest Saturday, redshirt junior Nathan Demian, from Vancouver, British Columbia, was a victim of an off-campus shooting," the announcement read. "He was an innocent bystander, is not a suspect in any way, and was not involved in any altercation.

"The soccer program is thankful for the incredible university support and medical care available to Nathan and his family during this difficult time. Nathan's family is with him, and the team is extremely close. The family has asked that everyone keep Nathan in their prayers. The department will do all it can to support Nathan, his family and the men's soccer program in every way possible."

Gallion reported police said they responded to a shooting and found Demian after he was struck by a stray bullet when two vehicles were chasing each other and firing at each other.

Demian has played in 14 games this season for the Buckeyes, who are No. 1 in the country and two wins away from winning a national championship.

Ohio State defeated Michigan in the Big Ten tournament championship game and advanced to the national semifinals with NCAA tournament victories over Western Michigan, Stanford and Wake Forest.

It is scheduled to play Marshall on Friday with the winner advancing to the national title game.

"We're going to miss him on the field. But he's such a huge personality," Ohio State coach Brian Maisonneuve said Monday. "He really gets everybody going in practice and in games. He has got a great voice. He's a character in the best way possible. And, like I said, his play speaks for itself. He's a competitor, and it's going to be tough not to have him out there."