PHOTO GALLERY

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – A dynamic showdown between two annual powers in the Ohio Athletic Conference women's soccer scene provided another chapter in the all-time series Wednesday night, as Otterbein found a way to survive a rugged 1-0 matchup with Ohio Northern.

The host Cardinals, getting back inside Memorial Stadium after a rivalry win at Capital over the weekend, pushed forward with another huge W inside OAC play on yet another second-half goal from senior Morgan Somers.

Otterbein snaps a rare four-match unbeaten streak against the Polar Bears, as just two matches since 2010 have been decided by more than one goal. That stretch includes five draws and eight overtime results between the sides, which have experienced their share of both regular-season and postseason battles.

For now, the Cardinals move to 6-2-2 on the year and a timely 2-0 against the OAC after what became a physical, testy and chirpy battle down the stretch.

THE SCRIPT:

• Neither side was able to create much in a tight first half, where both teams traded brief possession in trying to acclimate to surroundings. Ohio Northern generated a few early corner kicks but to no avail.
   
• The Cards saw a pair of chances as the half progressed, the first being when Camryn Earl beat a defender around the left side and slipped a pass across the end-line. Anjuli Anderson was there and pressured by a defender, with a quick touch missing just off target.
   
• The second movement occurred when recent sub Lauren Alley shifted her way around a Polar Bear and into the box, feeding a pass across to Anderson as a defender slipped and fell. Unfortunately, the ball was cleared out before any shots could be mustered.
   
• Otterbein tallied the difference-maker less than five minutes into the second half on a corner-kick sequence, where the ball originally landed in a cluttered box and was not cleared. Somers (like she did late at Capital) was there to rocket a shot home for the eventual game-winner.
   
• The second half did not proceed without other key moments and debate. ONU seemed as if it might knot the board just over the midway point of the second half following an unusual sequence…
   
• An incoming ball near the goal was initially approached by Otterbein keeper Ella Schwertfager before a falling defender landed squarely on top of it while working for position. After both Cardinals let up, a Polar Bear kicked it home for what might have been an equalizer. However, the referee had signaled/deemed the play dead just prior to that final touch, resulting in a goal kick.
   
• Intensity picked up down the stretch and two yellow cards were ultimately issues to ONU in the second half. Otterbein defended well enough to post the shutout.

STAT CHECK:

• The Polar Bears were called for 12 of the 17 fouls whistled on the night.
   
• Schwertfager made six saves, her second most of the season, while defenders Payton Kaufman and Cierra Clemons went the distance to also help secure another clean sheet. They were complemented by an array of other teammates in the back.
   
• ONU held slight margins in total shots (12-10) and corner kicks (7-4).
   
• Cailynn Adelman, making her second start of the year for Otterbein, led all players with four shots attempts.

UP NEXT:

The Cardinals get to play at home again to finish the week, hosting Muskingum come Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.