Box Score

WESTERVILLE, OHIO - Fifth-ranked Otterbein (9-0-1, 2-0 OAC) struck early and never looked back en route to a 4-0 victory over Heidelberg (7-5, 0-2 OAC) Tuesday afternoon at Clements Field.

It didn't take long for the Cards to get on the scoreboard, as senior Tara Smith converted a header off a cross from Rachel Denz on a short corner in the sixth minute. It was her first goal of the season.

Sophomore Molly Kroger almost pushed the lead to 2-0 in the 20th minute on a breakaway, but Heidelberg goalkeeper Carrie Moran got just enough of the shot to force it high and hit the cross bar.

Senior Lindsey Rudibaugh maneuvered in and out of the Berg' defense in the 25th minute and came to face Moran, but saw her shot hit the post and bounce back out into the field of play. However, junior Adrienne Novak was there to corrall the rebound and blast it home for the 2-0 lead.

Freshman Chelsea DeLay then notched her second goal of the season just two minutes before halftime by taking a cross from teammate Molly Nehwouse, beating the keeper, and finishing on an open net.

DeLay took a slick pass from Novak in the middle portion of the second half and nearly added a second goal, but got tangled up with Moran in front of the net and saw her shot hit the right post.

Kroger then added a fourth Otterbein goal minutes later, taking a centered pass from Cristen Herold off a Heidelberg turnover and finishing it in the top half of the goal. It was Herold's second assist of the day and seventh this season.

Otterbein held a 27-1 shot advantage, as well as a 7-1 edge on corner kicks.

The team remains at home for the rest of the week, hosting Baldwin-Wallace Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.