Box Score
WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Otterbein University women's lacrosse improved to 8-3 on the season Sunday afternoon, hanging on for a 12-11 victory over Concordia University Wisconsin at Clements Field.

The Cardinals came storming out offensively, out-scoring the Falcons 6-1 over the first 22 minutes of the game. Both sides would settle into a high-scoring pace for the remainder of the first half, as eight goals were scored in the final 7:32 before halftime.

Otterbein took a 9-6 advantage into the break, but were forced to quickly regroup on the defensive side as starting goalie Karen Brady exited with an injury. With no other goalie on the roster, the Cardinals turned to senior midfielder Megan Burless in the cage.

A goal from freshman Maria Blaszczyk just 14 seconds into the second half helped give Otterbein a bit more breathing room, but the Falcons came up with the game's next three goals in closing to within 10-9 by the 9:19 mark.

The Cardinals put an end to the visitor run with a pair of consecutive goals from Maddy Blackburn and Tory Blatt, but Concordia kept the contest interesting with another two scores down the stretch, the second coming with 1:48 to play.

The Falcons had two different chances to draw even in the final minute, but Otterbein's defense would rally around Burless to ultimately hold strong and prevail.

Seven different Cardinals scored in the matchup, led by three from Blaszczyk and two from Blackburn, Blatt and junior Shannon Back. Sophomore Annie Kelly gave yet another all-around effort by scoring once , assisting on four goals and leading all players with eight draw controls and six ground balls.

Sammi Reiter netted a game-high six goals on the Concordia side, converting all three of her free-position attempts and also corralling a team-best five ground balls.

Veronika Metanova stopped an impressive 16 shots in the Falcon net, helping off-set a 28-15 Otterbein advantage in shots on goal.

Otterbein will have 10 days off before opening Ohio Athletic Conference play on Wednesday, April 16 against Baldwin Wallace University.