WESTERVILLE, Ohio - The Otterbein men's soccer team unleashed in the second half against Marietta on Wednesday night, securing a 3-0 victory in Memorial Stadium and fighting to stay atop the conference standings.

The result sets up a prime showdown with No. 8-ranked Mount Union on Saturday afternoon, with both teams gunning for the OAC regular-season championship. A win or draw will give Otterbein (three points ahead at 7-0-1) the title outright, but a victory for the other side would force a share with the Purple Raiders and potentially Ohio Northern as well.

FULL OAC STANDINGS
 
The first period of the game with Marietta saw no goals, even though both teams attempted a total of 13 shots. Marietta posed a challenge to goalkeeper Casey Thompson, who needed to make five out of his total eight saves before intermission.
 
The latter part of the match featured various goal-related events, including a shot hitting the crossbar, a corner kick, and a penalty kick.
 
The first goal started as Colm Oneacre hit a two-touch pass to Mitchell Patterson, who found Will Isaac on the outside. Isaac was able to clear his defender and hit the top crossbar, seeing his shot fall down and in to start the chain reaction.
 
Roughly five minutes later, a penalty kick was awarded due to a handball by the Pioneers and Isaac slotted home his second goal of the match.
 
Andrew Rudesill was the lone contributor on the last goal, sending in a corner kick that curved its way into the top left all by its own. The effort marked his third goal in the past four consecutive games to seal the deal for the Cards.
 
Otterbein (11-2-3) held majority of possession and chances after the break, out-shooting Marietta 12-4 in the second frame. The rugged match featured a combined 17 fouls and five yellow cards.
 
Kickoff this weekend (which will also be Senior Day) is at 2 p.m.