Box Score

WESTERVILLE, OHIO - Junior forward Adrienne Novak scored in the 67th minute and the top-seeded Otterbein women's soccer team defeated Wilmington, the #5 seed, 1-0 Wednesday afternoon in OAC tournament semi-final match.

The Cards move on to host second-seeded Ohio Northern Saturday afternoon, 2 p.m., in the championship final. The Polar Bears scored late in double overtime to edge Capital, 2-1, in its semi-final contest.

Otterbein, ranked third nationally by both the NSCAA and D3soccer.com, saw two golden opportunities early when senior Lindsey Rudibaugh and junior Alyssa Hale both broke free through the defense, but both attempts sailed right into the hands of Wilmington keeper Maria Larson.

Rudibaugh roped a shot minutes later that appeared to have a chance, but it deflected off the cross bar and the game remained scoreless.

The Quakers saw maybe their best opportunity in the 55th minute on its only corner kick of the match, but a header attempt was saved by Otterbein keeper Tara Carter in traffic.

Two minutes later, Wilmington's Katie Skaleski lifted a high-rising shot from 40 yards out that sailed towards the Otterbein net, but a back-pedaling Carter was there to bring down the ball.

The Cards nearly went ahead in the 61st minute when sophomore Rachel Denz sent a cross towards the back post to a waiting Rachel Degen, but Degen's header attempt from up-close was snagged by Larson.

Novak helped Otterbein eventually break through moments later, taking a pass up the right/middle from Degen and slipping a shot past a charging Larson.

The Cards limited the Quakers chances late to preserve the victory.

Otterbein held a 16-6 shot advantage, and took five corner kicks compared to just one for Wilmington.

Larson stopped seven shots for the Quakers wihle Carter came up with four in net for the Tan and Cardinal.