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WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Cardinal women's soccer team finished off non-conference play in decisive fashion Wednesday night, dominating possession en route to a 5-0 triumph over visiting Hiram College.

Otterbein, having outscored its opponents 17-0 over the past four outings, jumps to 6-2 on the season and will open Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play Saturday night by hosting Mount Union at 7 p.m.

The Cards controlled play from the get-go, and appeared ready to hit the scoreboard in the 19th minute before a penalty kick from Myiah Kelley sailed high.

Otterbein took the lead for good moments later as Kelley outworked a Hiram defender on the left side and fed a pass to classmate Bella Shivley, who roped a 25-yard shot over the goalie, watched it hit the crossbar and then drop right in.

The Terriers (0-9) saw their best opportunity less than a minute later on a shot from Sophie Bell in a crowded box, but Cardinal goalie Erin Gordon was there to react for the quick save. Freshman Delaney Earl doubled the Cardinal lead in the 28th minute, taking a lead pass from Annie Mosca and then dribbling nearly 30 yards past a defender to beat the goalie bottom left.

Shivley, who was accidentally missed by the public address announcer during pregame introductions, made sure the crowd knew her name by rocketing in an almost identical goal from the same spot on the field just 36 seconds before halftime. It was her team-leading sixth goal of the season and gave Otterbein a 3-0 lead entering the break.

The Cards maintained consistent possession throughout the second half, rotating players in the lineup and adding insurance scores from Earl (64') and finally from Megan Losey (89'). Priscilla Severance, Katie Exline and Ashley Rabenstein all tallied assists in the frame.

Otterbein finished with commanding advantages in shots (41-4) and corner kicks (15-1) as Gordon was forced to make just two saves before giving way to Emma Spinner later in the match.

The Cards will now look for a second-straight victory over Mount Union after defeating the Purple Raiders, 2-1, in last year's season finale. Kelley netted the game-winner in the 70th minute after the sides traded first-half scores.