Box Score

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – Junior Rachel Denz scored in the 89th minute to give the Otterbein women’s soccer team a 1-0 victory over visiting Earlham Saturday afternoon at Clements Field.

Both teams saw opportunities in the opening half, with the Cardinals best chance coming in the 31st minute when junior Jessica Yaney had nobody between her and the Earlham keeper. Unfortunately, her shot trickled just wide right to keep the game scoreless entering halftime.

The visiting Quakers rattled off five shots within the first ten minutes of the second half, but all would be off the mark.

With the match appearing to be headed for overtime, Yaney found her way to a ball in the 89th minute and sent a pass across the box to an incoming Denz, who would get to the ball just in time to finish it home for the victory.

“This goal couldn’t have come at a better time for us,” Denz said. “We’ve had a lot of close games and haven’t gotten the results we wanted. We proved a lot to ourselves today and I’m so excited for us.”

Earlham outshot Otterbein 17-9 but the Cards took all seven of the game’s corner kicks. The Cardinals were also caught offisides seven times.

Kate Franks had two saves in goal for the Quakers while Otterbein keeper Melissa Zang tallied five.

The team next returns to action Saturday, Oct. 1 when it hosts John Carroll University for its Ohio Athletic Conference opener.

“Finally being able to post a victory right before we start conference play is a huge step for us,” said Denz. “It gives us the mindset we need going forward.”

Starting time from Clements field for the match with John Carroll is slated for 1 p.m.