PHOTO GALLERY

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – For the first time this spring season, and for the first time in over a full calendar year on Saturday afternoon, the Otterbein men's lacrosse team hosted a varsity contest inside Memorial Stadium.

The Cardinals did not disappoint, using an incredibly balanced effort to keep Heidelberg off the scoreboard and post a dominant 20-0 win. It marks just the second shutout in program history, with the other being a 24-0 decision against Bethany College way back in 2012.

THE SCRIPT:

• A slower-paced, grind-it-out matchup was on display in the first half, where Otterbein scored four times in both quarters. Ben Lewis found the back of the net with 51 seconds to go before halftime, capping the scoring.
   
• Otterbein effectively put things away in the third period, featuring a pair of goals from Quinn Nicodemus and Max Graham later scoring with 53 seconds on the clock.
   
• The Cardinals left little doubt in the outcome over the final quarter, working in a variety of players/lineups and getting contributions all the way down the roster.
   
• Heidelberg had a few man-up opportunities in the second half, but to no avail, and backup goalie Bret Beddard helped Otterbein preserve the shutout by making a save with 11 seconds left in the game.
   

NOTABLE STATS:

• Xander Seal (2G, 3A) led all players with five points while Lewis scored a game-best four goals, all before intermission. Graham also finished with four points.
   
• A total of 11 different Cardinals scored a goal, outshooting the visitors 63-13 on the afternoon.
   
• Otterbein won 17 of the 24 faceoffs and was successful on 10 of 11 clears. Eddie McDonald went a nice 6 of 7 at the X individually.
   
• Mitchel Rolfe and Lincoln Troxell combined for nine caused turnovers on the defense, and Zach Groene made four saves before giving way in the third.
   
• Heidelberg goalies Cian Howery and Connor Reese had 22 saves collectively in the Heidelberg cage.

 
UP NEXT:
Otterbein remains at home to begin next week, playing just one of a few Wednesday games by hosting Muskingum at 7 p.m. It will not be counted toward the conference standings.