WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein men's soccer team will make its second NCAA appearance in the last three years just about 24 hours from now, making a quick trip over to Gambier for its first-round match against Washington College (Md.).

Host Kenyon will open the regional pod (one of 16 in this national bracket) on Saturday morning against Dominican. The Cardinals and Shoremen will then take the pitch for their opening kick around 1:30 p.m.

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Otterbein (12-3-4) garnered an at-large bid out of the Ohio Athletic Conference, winning the league's regular season but coming up short in the OAC Tournament Final. The No. 25-ranked Cardinals played a very difficult non-league schedule and went on a lengthy unbeaten streak from September 20 to November 4.

"Our guys have encountered so many different situations this year," said head coach Jason Griffiths, currently 82-31-12 in seven years at the helm. "We have been leading, trailing, tied, playing a man-down, in penalty kicks, all of the above. Those experiences come back to help this time of year, and let you know there is always a chance for anything. I think those moments build character."

Washington (11-2-5) also received an at-large bid playing out of the Centennial Conference, falling to Johns Hopkins in the semifinals of the league tourney. The Shoremen won 10 of their last 12 to end the schedule, with both defeats coming at the hands of JHU (which made the NCAA Quarterfinals last year).

WC, soaring to No. 18 in the most recent national poll, landed seven players on the all-conference team. Leading those honors were senior Chris Comber (Defensive Player of the Year) and Roy Dunshee (Coach of the Year), while goalkeeper Anthony Pinto and midfielder Ben Strine joined the first-team selections.

"All teams are good at this stage… and difficult to beat," Griffiths continued. "Everything is a one-off game. Your results in the past don't necessarily matter now as you try to prepare for a different format, which is (hopefully) back-to-back matches in the same weekend. Washington is an experienced and deep program with recent success. I hope they think the same about us. It should be a good matchup."

Otterbein also had seven different players land year-end honors within the OAC, spearheaded by seniors Casey Thompson (Goalkeeper of the Year) and Mark Wischmeyer (Defender of the Year) anchoring a stout back line. Will Isaac and Drew Holman joined them to make a quartert of Cards on the first team.

The Cardinals are familiar with the venue and could enjoy a little home-field advantage, having scrimmaged Kenyon at Mavec Field back in August. Otterbein is located just about an hour away while Washington will be traveling nearly eight.

"Not everyone gets a chance to play in this tournament… and it doesn't even happen every year for those who do make it," Griffiths added. "I want our guys to enjoy it, but also remember the work that we have done over the last 12 months. We didn't get in last year and had to live with that into spring workouts and over the summer. Now it's time to give it everything so there are no regrets."

Fans can follow the action through LIVE STATS and LIVE VIDEO. More details can also be accessed on the team's SCHEDULE PAGE.