Box Score Photo GalleryWESTERVILLE, Ohio - The Otterbein women's soccer team fell to Ohio Northern, 2-1, on Tuesday night in an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) matchup.
The Cardinals, who move to an even 6-6 overall with a 2-2 mark in OAC play, fall for just the second time in the last six games.
An early foul just outside the Polar Bear box set up
Alex Ancona for a free kick, which she placed directly in the path of
Madison Burchfield for a header past ONU goalkeeper Emily Brodict. The goal was Burchfield's team-leading sixth goal and her fifth score in the last six games.
Otterbein's defensive front was solid in the opening period, holding the Polar Bears to just four total shots. The Cardinals led the first half in shots at 6-4, while both teams registered a pair of corner kicks.
Ohio Northern notched a pair of goals in the second half, taking full advantage of a 13-9 margin in shots over the final 45 minutes.
Michaela Guttierez evened the score at one goal apiece in the 69th minute, heading in a shot off a cross into the box by Shelby Stephens. Stephens then turned around five minutes later on a free kick to assist Brianna Gruber, giving ONU its first lead of the contest.
The Cardinals managed just one shot in the remaining 16:32 of regulation, with that one strike coming from Burchfield but was saved by Brodict.
Both teams made the most of their shots, as Ohio Northern ended the game with nine of its shots coming on goal, while Otterbein recorded six shots on goal. The Cardinals did outplay the Polar Bears in corner kicks at 5-2.
Cardinal goalkeeper
Dana Strimbu was kept busy in the second half, totaling four of her six saves in the final period. The loss was just Strimbu's second in her last six outings in goal. Brodict stopped five shots on the night, helping the Polar Bears improve to 4-0 in conference play.
Otterbein returns to action on Friday night as it hosts Muskingum in an OAC matchup at Memorial Stadium. First kick is slated for 7 p.m.
