PHOTO GALLERY
WESTERVILLE, Ohio - The Otterbein Women's soccer program celebrated the class of 2022 seniors before taking on Mount Union inside Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. The 1-1 tie concluded the regular season and impacted post season play in the OAC tournament.
Seniors Sopa Whyte, Grace Weidenhamer, Sam Matese, and Mackenzie Peeke were all recognized for their contributions and the time they have given to the program just prior to first kick.
The match began even with both sides feeling each other out and attempting to jump on the scoreboard first. The Cardinals managed to strike in the 17th minute of play thanks to Morgan Somers and Anjuli Anderson. Somers drove the ball 30 yards up the middle of the field and drew in a Mount Union defender, while Anderson cut across the middle where Somers played a perfect through ball. Anderson sent the ball across the net past Michele Hofacker.
Play remained neutral for the remainder of the first half, but the Purple Raiders found their equalizer after intermission in the 78th minute. Mount Union earned a corner kick and set up to challenge the Otterbein defense. The ball was sent into play and a scramble took place. Logan Godfrey came out of the mix with the ball and fired a shot that couldn't be stopped.
The Cards fought hard to earn the upper hand for the remainder of regulation, and both teams produced multiple game-winning opportunities. But neither could finish a play that would give them a win as both programs walked off the field with one goal each.
The tie clinched an OAC bid for the Purple Raiders (No. 5 seed) and they will travel to University Heights to challenge John Carroll (No. 4 seed). Otterbein claimed the No. 3 seed and is set to host the Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets in an OAC quarterfinal match. This first round of the league's postseason event will follow the Otterbein Men's soccer contest on Tuesday.