WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Cardinals were forced to digest another tough loss inside Memorial Stadium after back-and-forth action Wednesday night, as Ohio Northern found a groove in the second half to snag a 14-10 victory in an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) battle.

Otterbein carried an 8-7 lead into halftime following a big second quarter, but the Polar Bears responded to post a 7-2 scoring edge in the second half.

HOW IT WENT DOWN:

• It was mostly ONU early as the visitors opened a 5-2 lead after one quarter. Both sides traded punches in that initial frame, which saw six goals in a five-minute span.
   
• Otterbein later trailed 7-3 in the second quarter before delivering a huge run. The Cards scored five times in a row, with Nick Clay and Nick Wile both contributing two points in the stretch.
   
• Ohio Northern (8-3, 4-0 OAC) recaptured momentum out of intermission, embarking on a 4-0 run itself to open a three-goal cushion…
   
• The Cards found their composure to begin the last frame with goals from Carson Rainone and Nick Asuan, getting within 11-10 by the 8:31 mark.
   
• Unfortunately, the Polar Bears countered with three tallies over the final 5:25 of action to thwart off the home-side rally.

 
STAT CHECK:

• Most stat categories were very close in comparison, with ONU holding a 42-34 shot advantage and 14-12 edge in faceoffs. Otterbein's Eddie McDonald found some success late at the X for an 8-of-16 line.
   
• Fifth-year goalie Zach Groene, who recently welcomed a baby daughter (Aspen) over the weekend, made nine saves in between the pipes. Counterpart Cole Zaferakis had seven for ONU.
   
• Clay notched a hat trick and team-high four points, converting all three shots on goal.
   
• Wile and fellow All-OAC performer Lincoln Troxell combined for nine caused turnovers.

 
BIG WEEKEND ON TAP:

• Otterbein will need to shift quickly as Capital comes up for a "Roush Auto Rivalry Showdown" this Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. It will also be Senior Day for the Cards, who plan to recognize six players.