PHOTO GALLERY (coming soon)

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein women's lacrosse team got itself over .500 in conference play with another win in the series with Muskingum, this time prevailing 12-4 after a slow start at Memorial Stadium.

The Cardinals, improving to 6-4 overall and 2-1 against the OAC, top the Muskies for an eighth-straight time dating back to the series beginning in 2015.

HOW IT PLAYED OUT:

• A tight, low-scoring first half saw just five combined goals between the sides, including a 1-1 deadlock after the first quarter.
   
• Otterbein scored twice to begin the second frame, ignited with a man-down goal from Lauren Newkirk, before the Muskies responded and a 3-2 game entered the half.
   
• The Cardinals took control to begin the third, launching the period on a 4-0 run and stringing together a 9-1 sequence altogether. That broke open a one-possession game into a decisive 12-3 cushion.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Otterbein finished with a 19-11 edge in shots on goal and moved the ball nicely upfield, converting 24 of 29 clear attempts.
   
• Carli Rigel, Logan Fox and Lauren Newkirk all tallied four-point days to lead Otterbein. Rigel was seeing her second game back after a three-week absence due to injury.
   
• Emily Willms and Gillian Roeder had multi-goal games for the Cards, with Willms also causing a career-high six turnovers.
   
• Goalie Maggie Nance made seven saves in the Otterbein cage, shutting out the Muskies (0 for 4) on free-position attempts. The Cards went 4 of 6 on the opposite end.

LOOKING AHEAD:

• The Cards will enjoy a quick weekend break for Easter before hosting a rescheduled game with John Carroll, taking place Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m.