Box Score Photo GalleryWESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein men's soccer team was edged 1-0 by Mount Union in its season finale on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
The Cardinals needed a win or draw against the Purple Raiders to clinch a spot in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament, as Otterbein came into the game with a two-point lead on Mount Union. The win by the Purple Raiders gave them a one-point advantage over the Cards in the conference standings, helping them sneak into the final spot in the six-team tournament.
Otterbein controlled the shot margin easily for the second-straight game, outshooting its opponent 24-7 including an 8-6 advantage in shots on goal. Mount Union made the most of its opportunities throughout the contest, registering six of its seven shots on goal.
The Cardinals were issued a foul in the 60th minute, setting Mount Union's Aaron Liezert up for a free kick from nearly 40 yards out. Liezert lofted a ball to the far side of the Cardinal box, to which Scotty Welker quickly tapped inside the near post.Welker's score was the only one needed to secure the win for the Purple Raiders, all in part of a spirited and physical OAC match in which a combined 26 fouls were issued. A total of four yellow cards were also handed out between the two squads.Cardinal goalkeeper
Mack Stamper logged a busy first half between the posts for the Cards, stopping all five of the shots he was credited for saving on the night. Mount Union goalkeeper Dylan Lias was kepy busy in both halves, saving seven total shots in the win.
Otterbein was led in shots by
Luis Rivas, who tallied five on the night.
Erick Juarez-Manning and
Gavin Koerner followed with four shots apiece. Nine different Cardinal players attempted at least one shot in the loss. The match was the final game played in the career of Rivas and fellow seniors
Lukas Swysgood,
Francisco Marty,
Reid Wolfe, and
Josh Kellner.
