Box Score

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Cardinal men's soccer team picked up a much-needed 2-1 win over Marietta on Tuesday night at Memorial Stadium.

Otterbein (8-6-3 overall) improves to 3-4-1 in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play and is now in a tie with Mount Union, who the Cards host on Saturday in their regular-season finale, for the sixth and final spot in next week's conference tournament. First kick Saturday night is set for 7 p.m.

"What an important win to keep us alive in our run towards the tournament," said head coach Gerry D'Arcy. "We scored a pair of quick goals in the first half and we really could've scored more the way we shot. I really liked our play tonight."

Junior Noah Coons ignited the Cardinal offense in the opening half with an assist on the team's first goal in the 10th minute to sophomore Erick Juarez-Manning, then flipping the script for his own score six minutes later off a well-placed ball from midfield by senior Jaden Lunger.

The Cards carried their 2-0 advantage into halftime, narrowly outshooting the Pioneers, 8-7. The initial frame also proved to be quite physical on both ends, as 15 fouls and three yellow cards were issued.

Marietta cuts its deficit to 2-1 less than 10 minutes into the second half, as Sebastian Ziaja booted a lead pass from midfield to Andy Rolfes for his sixth goal of the year on a shot to the far post.

Otterbein controlled the tempo for the rest of the game, frustrating the Marietta offense as the Cardinal backline of defense stifled multiple runs by the Pioneers. Marietta also recorded a pair of yellow cards in the second period, proving to be costly in terms of ball possession.

Both goalkeepers were even at five saves apiece, as freshman Collin Hoffmann posted his eighth win after going the distance in goal. The two teams combined for 26 shots in the match, with the Cards besting the Pioneers in shots on goal, 7-6.