WESTERVILLE, Ohio- Otterbein and Muskingum opened up 2022 Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play after a nearly two-hour delay due to a lack of officials. The Cardinals emerged victorious after a slow start, 8-4.

Otterbein improves to 3-4 with the win and 1-0 in the OAC, while Muskingum falls to 6-4 and 0-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The game's first goal came with just under six minutes to play in the first quarter. Spencer Zecchini found the back of the net at 5:51; it was the quarter's only goal.
   
• Otterbein shut out the Muskies in the second frame while scoring three times, taking a 3-1 lead into the half.
   
• The three-goal run turned into a 5-0 run when Nick Asuan opened up the third quarter with back-to-back goals four minutes apart.
   
• Jack Watts finally broke the scoring drought for the visitors at 6:49 in the third, but it was answered with the fourth goal of the day by Asuan.
   
• The Muskies strung together back-to-back goals to start the fourth, but they could get no closer than two.
   
• Carson Rainone closed the day with a pair of goals just over three minutes apart in the final quarter.
   

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• The Cardinals committed zero penalties while they went a man-up three times; they failed to convert on their chances, though.
   
• Otterbein forced the Muskies into 36 turnovers while holding them to 15-26 on clears; the Cards were a near-perfect 19 of 20 on their clear attempts.
   
• Zach Groene made seven saves in full time. He allowed just four goals, the lowest this season.
   

UP NEXT:

The Cardinals will welcome John Carroll to Memorial Stadium on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. faceoff.