PHOTO GALLERY
GAMBIER, Ohio - The Otterbein Men's Soccer team gave it all they could in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championships on Saturdya afternoon, with an action packed second half-ending that unfortunately resulted in a tough 2-1 defeat to Washingotn College (Md.).
The Cards, ranked No. 25 in the latest national poll, traveled to nearby Kenyon College after receiving an at-large bid to the national bracket where they faced the No. 18-ranked Shoremen at Mavec Field. After trading goals (less than 90 seconds apart) early in the second half, a late game-winner by the opposition would prove to be the difference on the board.
The first period witnessed a see-saw battle as both teams battled for control of the match. Senior goalkeeper
Casey Thompson had six saves in the first half alone, making three critical stops in a span of just 30 seconds at one point. Meanwhile, the Shoremen's defense limited Otterbein to just four shot attempts on the other end.
Both sides went into the break locked in the 0-0 draw.
Washington ended that scoreless spell with a header goal after a lobbed pass at the beginning of the second half, taking an official 1-0 lead at the 61:08 mark. However, Otterbein swiftly responded with an equalizer less than a minute later.
Mitchell Patterson passed to the outside to
Will Issac, who lofted a pass to fellow upperclassmen
Carter Ely, The senior promptly executed a header to level the score at 1-1.
The Shoremen secured their crucial goal very late in the second half with a one-touch pass for a cleared alley. Thompson stepped up in the box, but Washington's Harrison Malone slotted the ball home in the 84th minute to (eventually) seal the game with a 2-1 victory.
Washington held a marginal 13-11 shot advantage and nearly committed twice as many fouls at 14-8. Thompson came up with seven stops in between the posts.
Otterbein end its impressive season 12-4-4 overall after winning a third conference title in the last seven years.
