Box Score
Photo Gallery
WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Yet another goal from leading-scorer Jared Pulliam helped the Otterbein University men's soccer team earn a tough 1-0 win over visiting University of Mount Union Saturday at Clements Field.
The Cardinals get back to an even 8-8 on the season with the triumph, moving to 3-4 in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play as well. Mount Union falls to 9-8 overall and 4-3 in the league after the defeat.
The victory keeps Otterbein positioned to make a run at the postseason, as the team currently sits seventh in the league standings but just one game behind four teams tied for third place at the moment. The Cardinals will travel to Marietta College Wednesday before venturing to crosstown-rival Capital University come Saturday afternoon.
"We need to take care of our business as much as we can," head coach Gerry D'Arcy said. "These two recent wins really help, and now we'll have a pair of upcoming road matches to try and get the best result possible. We will focus on execution and finding a way to get into the playoffs."
Pulliam broke a scoreless tie in the 75th minute, maneuvering through the Purple Raider defense before roping a shot into the upper left portion of the goal from 25 yards out. It was his 13th goal of the season, good enough to lead all conference players.
"We knew that Jared would be marked tight today, so for him to find space and do the work to break free was impressive," D'Arcy said. "It was good execution and just a great goal."
The Otterbein defense held on down the stretch, overcoming the loss of defender Jonathan Boardman to an injury and taking on multiple Mount Union shots in the final 10 minutes.
"We have to be able to manage the match a bit better when we're ahead, but Jonathan going down forced us to adjust some things in the back," D'Arcy said. "Our guys will continue to work and become more confident in those situations going forward."
Otterbein doubled up Mount Union in shots at 20-10, holding an 8-5 edge on corner kicks while both teams attempted four shots on goal.
Goalkeeper Kyle Ripma made four saves and Mount Union's Dylan Lias had three of his own for the visitors.
Prior to the match, Ripma and fellow classmates Kiley Gessner, Adam Tackett, Evan Fallon, Justin Cox, and Jake Keller were recognized as part of Senior Day.
