UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – The Otterbein women's lacrosse team came up short in its first road game of the season Saturday afternoon, dropping a 16-6 decision to host John Carroll inside Don Shula Stadium.

The Cardinals, now 2-2 overall, fell behind early and were unfortunately never able to catch up. JCU remains unbeaten at 4-0 this spring.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Blue Streaks opened a 7-0 lead with roughly 10 minutes to play in the opening half.
   
• Otterbein finally hit the back of the net, getting goals from Cameron Finnegan and Lexie Van Cleef, before John Carroll answered with a pair to carry a 10-2 lead into the break.
   
• Both sides traded scores over the initial portion of the second half, with a man-up goal from Macey Buchanan bringing the deficit to 13-6 approaching the midway point.
   
• JCU countered with three-straight goals of its own to keep Otterbein at arm's length down the stretch.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• John Carroll finished with a 42-25 shot advantage, was successful on 20 of 23 clears and captured 13 of 22 draws.
   
• Otterbein goalie Leah McNutt, reigning OAC Defensive Player of the Week, had another 16 saves in the cage while her brother (a JCU student) worked in the press box.
   
• Finnegan and Buchanan each scored twice to lead the Cardinal offense.
   
• Colleen Grombala roped in six goals to lead the Blue Streaks.

 
UP NEXT:

Otterbein will return home and welcome Marietta College on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.