FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Otterbein Men's Lacrosse team launched its spring break trip by getting into the win column Tuesday afternoon, using a big first half and ultimately taking down host Methodist by a final count of 11-2..

The Cardinals, having now won five of their last seven spring break games, get to 1-3 on the season after a tough opening stretch back home at Memorial Stadium.

HOW IT PLAYED OUT:

• Otterbein wasted no time taking control, getting a man-up score from Nathan Lewis just over two minutes into the game. Lewis then found Cole Werbrich midway through the quarter, and that was followed by goals off the sticks of Aidan Moore and Carson Rainone for a 4-0 lead.
   
• The Cardinals stayed on the gas pedal offensively in the second frame, watching Alex Menendez and Nick Clay get in on the scoring barrage sandwiched around Rainone netting his second.
   
• The Monarchs got on the board midway through the second, but Otterbein still carried a smooth 7-1 lead into halftime.
   
• Otterbein's defense continued standing strong as the third quarter progressed, limiting the hosts and extending the margin on Rainone securing a hat trick.
   
• The Cards added insurance goals from Clay, Andy Badu and Jack Otte down the stretch to  leave little doubt in the outcome.

BOX SCORE NOTABLES:

• Eight different Cardinals found the back of the net to cap a team effort, posting a 55-29 shot margin after double-digit ropes in ever quarter.
   
• Nick Wile handed out a pair of assists on the day.
   
• Both teams won eight faceoffs on the day, with Eddie McDonald going 8 for 13 himself at the X.
   
• Otterbein's man-down unit held steady each time, forcing the Monarchs to come up empty through all four extra-man opportunities.
   
• Defensemen Adam Clay and Lincoln Troxell combined for eight ground balls and five cause turnovers. Goalie  Luke Farthing made nine saves before giving way to a pair of backups late.

UP NEXT:

The Cardinals will have a few days off to enjoy the Tar Heel State before playing once more, heading roughly two hours west to play Pfeiffer University come Thursday afternoon.