Box Score

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – The Otterbein University women’s soccer team dropped its first Ohio Athletic Conference match of the season Wednesday, falling 3-0 to 18th-ranked Ohio Northern University at Clements Field.

The loss brings Otterbein to 6-5-1 this season and 3-1 in league play, while the win improves the Polar Bears to 10-1-2 overall and a perfect 4-0 in the OAC.

The loss marks the first for Otterbein in the last seven meetings with Ohio Northern.

The first half saw limited offensive opportunities on a wet and slippery field. Northern’s best opportunity came ten minutes in, but a Polar Bear shot was hit right into the gloves of Cardinal goalkeeper Melissa Zang.

Otterbein saw an opening at the 23:15 mark, but a shot from sophomore Morgan Hendrickson sailed wide right.

The match would head to intermission scoreless, with Otterbein holding a slim 4-3 advantage in shots.

ONU freshman Kristina Klusek got her team on the board just 23 seconds into the second half, tracking down a ball near the end line and taking advantage of Zang slipping in the box.

Klusek added goals in the 73rd and 76th minutes, drilling two separate shots from 20 yards out. Alyssa Merrick was credited with the assist on both goals.

ONU held an 8-7 shot advantage, while Otterbein had a 6-1 edge on corner kicks.

Zang came up with three saves for Otterbein while Northern keeper Erin Waehner tallied one.

The Cardinals return to action Saturday afternoon, traveling to take on cross-town rival Capital University at 4 p.m.