ADRIAN, Mich. – It was unfortunately another razor-thin defeat for Otterbein on the men's lacrosse field Sunday afternoon up north, as the Cardinals battled from wire to wire before settling on the low end of an 8-7 contest with host Adrian College.

The game, featuring multiple ties leading into a tight fourth quarter, hands the Cards their third loss this season by two goals or less. AC got itself back to an even 4-4 overall with the victory.

WHAT WENT DOWN:

• The Bulldogs led 3-1 early in the second quarter before Otterbein found a groove, rattling off three goals (in just over three minutes) off the sticks of Aidan Moore, Nathan Lewis and Ty Forney.
   
• Austin Selvage converted a timely Adrian goal with just two seconds left before halftime, allowing the hosts to draw even (4-4) by intermission.
   
• The only man-up goal of the day gave Adrian a lead to start the third, but Nathan Lewis connected with Nick Clay to quickly knot the scoreboard once more.
   
• Two quick goals gave the hosts the lead for good, although Otterbein stayed right there within striking distance. Cole Werbrich kept the Cardinals within a single possession (7-6).
   
• Selvage doubled that lead back to 8-6 as the game clock ticked under 5:00 before Nick Wile kept Otterbein right there down the stretch, converting off a pass from Werbrich with 3:18 remaining…
   
• Adrian won the ensuing faceoff but a defensive stop gave the Cardinals an equalizing chance. However, the Bulldogs forced a turnover and (despite taking an initial shot on the opposite end) would be able to bleed the clock.

BOX SCORE NOTABLES:

• Otterbein finished with a 39-28 edge in total shots but Adrian goalie Ethan Krupp managed a dozen saves.
   
• The Bulldogs were flagged eight times on the day… but the Cards unfortunately came up empty each time in finishing 0 for 8 during extra-man sequences.
   
• Ty Forney scored twice for Otterbein while three other Cardinals had multi-point afternoons.
   
• Adam Clay and Lincoln Troxell each caused a pair of turnovers, representing almost half (25 of 60) of the team output so far this season.
   
• Selvage and Michael Jones both netted two goals for Adrian, which nabs its first win against the OAC this season after previously falling to Ohio Northern and Capital.

CONFERENCE OPENER:

• The Cardinals will need to shake off another tough result and prepare for the beginning of OAC play next weekend, traveling across town to face rival Capital.