Box Score

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Cardinal men’s soccer team opened the 2012 season with a 1-0 victory over Kenyon College in a non-conference match at Clements Field.

With the win, Otterbein University opens the season 1-0 and wins its season-opener for the second-consecutive year.

After a scoreless first half, the Cardinals capitalized on a Kenyon foul that occurred just outside of the goalkeepers box in the 61st minute.

Senior Justin Esarey took the direct kick and roped it into the top-right corner to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.

Kenyon had multiple opportunities late in the game to score, but a solid defensive effort headed by junior goalkeeper Kyle Ripma held the Lords at bay.

Ripma made 11 saves on the night including a game-saving stop in the final 10 seconds of the match to preserve the victory.

Kenyon’s Andrew Parmalee headed a ball off of a corner with eight seconds left forcing Ripma to make a diving stop that gave the Cardinals the 1-0 win.

The Lords out-shot Otterbein 17-5 for the match, but the Cardinals took full advantage of its opportunity to score as most of the game was played on their own part of the field.

Otterbein returns to action this Sunday afternoon when they host Denison University. Kick-off for the match is scheduled for 2 p.m.