GRANVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein women's soccer team suffered an unfortunate setback Wednesday evening on the road, coming up on the wrong side of a 7-1 contest against a host Denison squad clicking on all cylinders.

The Cardinals, now 2-1, entered the night fresh off a pair of shutouts but watched the Big Red score twice in the first 13 minutes of action to take control and never look back. Otterbein goalkeeper Erin Gordon stropped a strong strike early in the eighth minute, but Denison's Claire Kolff was right there to follow up the initial shot and convert. DU then had a free kick deflect off the crossbar around the 12:45 mark, and Maggie Armstrong found herself in position for the prompt rebound and finish.

The hosts continued to build their lead prior to intermission, eventually taking a 4-0 advantage into halftime and out-shooting the Cardinals 14-6 in the period. Three of the goals for Denison in the opening 45 minutes came on second-chance opportunities.

Denison was ahead 5-0 early in the second half until Otterbein manufactured its lone score of the night, taking advantage of a foul inside the box and getting a penalty-kick goal from sophomore Bella Shivley.

The gap would ultimately be too much for the Cards as Denison added insurance goals in in the 60th and 73rd minutes, pulling away and improving to 2-1 overall on the young season. The seven goals are the most allowed by Otterbein in the last 20 years under decorated head coach Brandon Koons, with the previous high being four goals. Those two instances came in 2002 and 2015. 

Otterbein pressed forward throughout the second half and ended up with a 22-20 shot advantage for the contest, and also walked away holding a 6-3 edge in corner kicks. Gordon made five saves in the first half before giving way to Katie Both and Alaina Reher.

Armstrong and Liz Gilbert each scored twice to lead Denison, which received a combined 12 saves from a three-goalkeeper effort. Patil Tcholakian had six to lead the way.

The Cardinals will remain on the road to culminate the week, concluding the last of a four-game season-opening trip at Centre College (Ky.) come Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.