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Otterbein University Athletics

Smith Celebration
Lance Kriesch
Defender Seth Smith celebrates with his teammates following the Cards dramatic 1-0 OT win.
0
Mount Union UMU (11-4-4, 4-2-3)
1
Winner Otterbein University OTT (13-6-0, 6-3-0)
Mount Union UMU
(11-4-4, 4-2-3)
0
Final
1
Otterbein University OTT
(13-6-0, 6-3-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
Mount Union UMU 0 0 0 0
Otterbein University OTT 0 0 1 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Written by Jake Stewart (Photos by Lance Kriesch)

Cardiac Cards! Mensah Propels Otterbein into OAC Title Game

PHOTO GALLERY 

TOURNAMENT PAGE

WESTERVILLE, Ohio- In one of the most exciting contests seen at Memorial Stadium this fall, the No. 2-seed Otterbein men's soccer team was lifted in overtime by a goal from senior Kennedy Mensah during semifinal action of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament.

After a scoreless 90 minutes of regulation, and then another nine-plus of the extra session, freshman Will Isaac ripped a cross from the right side (and in front of the Cardinal bench) toward his streaking teammate in the box. Mensah, forced to miss his recent Senior Day following a dramatic red card last week, lofted a header inside the left post to beat Mount Union keeper Zach Hlas with just 28 seconds remaining in OT.

With the win, Otterbein advances to its second OAC Tournament Final in three years and will play at top-seed John Carroll Saturday evening at 7 p.m. The Blue Streaks, ranked seventh in the latest national poll, held off Otterbein 2-1 in an overtime showdown earlier this season in University Heights.

Mount Union, the No. 5 seed in the tournament, finishes its season at 10-4-5 with tonight's loss. The Purple Raiders were steadied all season by outstanding goalie play from senior Zach Hlas, who ends his season with five saves tonight, and nine shutouts on the year.

Otterbein dominated the possession total through the first half, and finished with a commanding shot advantage of 13-2. The second half once again saw Otterbein out shoot Mount, this time with a 6-3 advantage. The Cards finished the game, including OT, with a 20-7 shot advantage.

Senior goalie Collin Hoffmann remained rock solid in net, making two saves on the night while keeping his defense in position to help post the clean sheet.

The winner of Saturday's championship match will receive the league's automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA Tournament. JCU advanced from its semifinal with a 1-0 win over Marietta.
 
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