Box Score
NEW ALBANY, Ohio – The Otterbein University women's lacrosse team opened its season on a positive note Saturday afternoon, turning back Calvin College (Mich.) by a score of 15-8 at local New Albany High School.
The Cardinals are scheduled to return to action Wednesday afternoon with a 4:30 p.m. home matchup with Ohio Wesleyan. The site for the contest has yet to be determined.
Otterbein opened strong, getting two scores in the first 10 minutes from junior Tory Blatt to assume an early lead.
The Knights managed to stay within 4-2 midway through the opening half, but the Cardinals found their stride and out-scored Calvin 3-1 over the final 10:22 of the period to take a 7-3 halftime lead.
Calvin netted a goal just 46 seconds into the second frame, but Otterbein quickly regrouped with four-consecutive goals to open an 11-4 advantage. Both teams would each score four more times the rest of the way before Otterbein claimed victory.
"I thought we worked pretty well together today," Oterbein head coach Stephani Schmidt said. "We were balanced offensively with different goal scorers and seemed to move the ball very well."
Blatt finished with a game-high four goals while Courtney Hilfinger, Maddy Blackburn, Katy Williams and Maria Blaszczyk all scored two apiece.
Sophomore Annie Kelly turned in an all-around performance with one goal, one assist, three draw controls and game-highs of eight ground balls and three caused turnovers.
"We never let Calvin go on any major runs today," Schmidt said. "We answered back almost every time they scored so they were never able to gain momentum. Our defense forced turnovers when we needed them and everyone ultimately did their part."
The Cardinals dominated the draw control, winning 19 of 25 opportunities behind a strong showing from senior Kayle Quinter. The Piqua native came up with eight on her own to help Otterbein retain possession throughout.
"It was huge to dominate in that area like we did," Schmidt explained. "Possession plays a key role with winning or losing in this sport and I thought we performed well. Kayle was just huge in that aspect."
Otterbein took advantage of its free-position chances, converting 6 of 13 while the Knights went 0 for 5.
