Box Score DAVENPORT, Fla. – It was a disappointing opener for the Otterbein women's lacrosse team in Florida on Tuesday afternoon, as the Cardinals opened strong but lost ground late to Piedmont in a neutral-site contest.

The non-conference affair took place at North Regional Park, and would see the Lions use a big fourth quarter en route to earning a 13-8 decision. Piedmont improves to 4-3 on the season as a result while Otterbein drops back to an even 2-2.

Both sides traded momentum runs in the first half. Otterbein held a 4-2 lead after the opening quarter but Piedmont countered right back with four goals in the second, eventually taking a marginal 6-5 lead into the break.

The Cardinals received a free-position goal from Ava Robey early in the third quarter and hung within striking distance, only trailing 8-6 as the game moved into the last frame.

Piedmont unfortunately had the last laugh over the culminating stretch, embarking on a 5-0 run that moved the game out of reach. Lauren Newkirk and Jenna Pezzot scored goals with under 35 seconds remaining to help shrink the final margin.

Robey and Riley Smith both scored twice for Otterbein while Newkirk had a three-point day, registering two assists in the first half. Goalie Maggie Nance, the reigning OAC Defensive Player of the Week, had nine saves and collected five ground balls.

Otterbein will have a few days to regroup before taking on NAIA Warner University in Lake Wales, scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m.

* FULL BOX SCORE WILL BE POSTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE