LEXINGTON, Ky. – The head coaching debut for new taskmaster Rachael Griffith went swimmingly Sunday afternoon down south, as the Cardinals flew away to secure a 17-4 victory at Transylvania.

The Cardinals, coming off a nice 11-4 campaign last spring, open this version on a high note while snaping a three-game losing skid to the Pioneers. Griffith snags her first coaching win after serving the last few years in a supporting role.

Transylvania drops to 0-2 after losing its season opening to Birmingham-Southern on Friday

HOW IT PLAYED OUT:

• Due to a new NCAA rule change beginning this season, both sides competed across four quarters instead of the customary two halves.
   
• The format wouldn't have mattered in this contest, as the Cards overcame an initial goal from the hosts to net seven in a row. Four different players scored in that opening period.
   
• Otterbein extended its lead in the second, with Emily Willms closing both frames strong and carrying a hat trick into the break… where her club led 11-2.
   
• Neither team scored across the opening five minutes of the second half, but the Cardinals eventually kicked into gear and forced a running clock.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Seven different Cardinals found the scoring column, led by Willms (4) and Carli Rigel (3) spearheading the cause. Lexie Van Cleef, Riley Smith and Lauren Newkirk all enjoyed multi-score days as well.
   
• Junior Leah McNutt, a returning All-OAC goalie, made her first-career start as a defender and helped the back line thwart Transy most of the day. The Pioneers were shut out in the third quarter as Otterbein pulled away.
   
• Freshman goalie Maggie Nance stood tall with a promising debut in the cage, making 12 stops across the full time.
   
• Willms won more draw controls herself (10) than Transylvania won collectively (9).
   
• Newkirk matched a career-high with four assists, occurring twice before in each of her first two seasons.
   

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Otterbein will have nine days off before welcoming Kenyon for the home opener at Memorial Stadium on February 22. Opening draw control is set for 5 p.m.