Box Score
WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Otterbein University suffered its first conference loss of the season Wednesday, falling 2-0 to visiting Wilmington College at Clements Field.
The loss puts the Cardinals at 10-5 overall and 5-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), reducing their conference lead to just a half game. Wilmington, meanwhile, bumps its overall mark to 10-5-1 and conference record to 3-3.
Otterbein will round out the week with another key conference outing, this time in Alliance, Ohio against the University of Mount Union. Starting time Saturday afternoon is set for 1 p.m.
Wilmington’s Lauren Price found some space early in the match, but her direct shot sailed right into the hands of Otterbein keeper Dana Strimbu.
The Cards appeared ready to take the lead in the 38th minute when Jessica Yaney took a pass from Allie Schlemitz behind the Quaker defense, but Yaney’s shot into the goal was nullified as the offside flag went up.
The Quakers got on the scoreboard a minute later, using a header from Sammy Koerner off a corner kick in the 39th minute.
Wilmington nearly found another goal to open the second half when Strimbu was found away from the goal in a scramble, but senior defender Emily Bates was there to clear a Quaker shot attempt.
The Cardinals, trailing for the first time in league play this season, found a prime opportunity to even the match in the 62nd minute as Wilmington keeper Sarah Stauffer inadvertently picked up an incoming pass off the foot of a teammate.
Otterbein was awarded an indirect free kick from the middle of the box, but senior Rachel Denz saw her shot deflect off the left post before Megan Mills had a follow-up attempt saved by Stauffer.
A free kick from Bates sailed high shortly after, and the Quakers later found some breathing room at the 66:17 mark when Rachelle Bowen delivered a shot from 35 yards out over the head of Strimbu, propelling the visitors to a 2-0 lead.
Otterbein continued to press but was unable to generate a score the rest of the way.
The loss to Wilmington is a first since 2008 for Otterbein, which had won the previous four encounters between the two schools.
The contest was virtually even in all categories except the scoreboard, as both teams attempted seven shots and three corner kicks throughout the match. Strimbu finished with two saves in goal while Stauffer had three for Wilmington.
