SPRINGFIELD, OHIO – Senior midfielder Matt Beckett scored twice in the second half of play to help Otterbein rally from a 0-2 deficit and eventually force a tie with Wittenberg Saturday evening.

The scoring began just 15 minutes into the contest when Wittenberg’s Tom Fisher took a long cross from teammate Robbie Farquhar and headed it past Cardinal goalie Dave Dziedzicki for a 1-0 lead.

The Tigers extended their lead to 2-0 when Brian Glenn took a through ball from Nate Ayers and scored on a short-left footed shot.

The hosts would take a 2-0 advantage into the break.

The Cards struck in the early minutes of the second stanza when senior Matt Beckett took a pass from brother Andrew in the 50^th minute and headed it into the back of the net to cut the deficit in half, at 2-1. The ball was crossed into the box by sophomore Greg Atkinson.

Beckett then scored his second goal by converting another header, this time off a cross from sophomore Kurt Gallant in the 70^th minute.

The game would head to overtime locked at 2-2.

The Cards were able to get off the only two shot attempts of either extra session, but neither went for a goal as the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

Otterbein held a 15-8 shot advantage, as well as an 8-4 edge on corner kicks. Both teams committed 11 fouls.

Dziedzicki played the first 45 minutes between the posts for the Cards and allowed two goals, while sophomore Alex Kamphaus relieved Dziedzicki to play the second half and both overtime periods. Kamphaus did not allow a score and stopped three shots.

Wittenberg keeper Michael Lambeck tallied seven saves.

OC next returns home to host Ohio Wesleyan on Wednesday. Game time is set for 4 p.m.