PHOTO GALLERY

WESTERVILLE, Ohio- Otterbein celebrated senior day today inside of Memorial Stadium, with visiting rival Capital attempting to play spoiler. The Cardinals escaped with victory just 44 seconds into overtime to wrap up the regular season at 12-6, and 6-3 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Capital finishes its regular season with the loss, falling to 8-6-3 and 5-3-1 within the OAC.

Otterbein was trailing the Crusaders in nearly every statistical category in the first half of action, until 42:44 when Capital was booked with a handball in the box, giving the Cards a chance to take the lead into the half.

On his senior day Tiger Pham stepped forward to take the penalty shot, and buried it top left for the 1-0 lead. The goal came despite Capital holding a 6-2 shot advantage at the half.

The second half started slow until Capital finally broke through for its first score at 58:23. Crusader defender Bailey Lach was able to weave his way through the Cardinal defense and eventually get a shot off, the shot appeared to ricochet off a Cardinal defender before eventually finding its way into the back of the net.

The two teams jostled for possession in the midfield the remainder of the way, with each side getting shots off, none on goal though. The two sides remained deadlocked after an impressive save from senior goalie Collin Hoffmann with just under six minutes remaining.

Neither side found a goal as time ran out and entered overtime tied 1-1. Otterbein caught back up with Capital and finished regular time trailing in shots 11-12.

Overtime started with a Capital kickoff, and they never saw the ball again. With possession the Cardinals worked quickly getting the ball across the midline to freshman Liam Heard who danced through the Crusader defense. Heard found a lane and sent a pass into the right side of the box to Will Isaac, Isaac sent a ball across the face of the goal that no one could get a foot on until Paul Hensley came sliding in backside to somehow knock the ball into the back of the net for the Cardinal victory just 44 seconds into overtime.

Collin Hoffmann played the full 90:44 in net for Otterbein making three saves and allowing one goal. Crusader goalie Pedro Garcia allowed two goals in 91 minutes while making five saves.  

Rivalry games almost always bring some sort of excitement with them, today's match brought 30 total fouls, and 4 total yellow cards, as well as a red card handed out to Capital following the OT winner.

Otterbein will enter the OAC Tournament next week no lower than the three seed, and possibly the two seed with outcomes of remaining games. The Cardinals could have a first round by with an ONU loss or draw tonight.

Stay tuned to Otterbein social media and Otterbeincardinals.com for the OAC Tournament schedule.