Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – In an electrifying showdown that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Otterbein women's soccer team fought hard to sneak away with a 1-0 victory against Wittenberg during a beautiful autumn evening on Edwards-Maurer Field.

The teams have faced each other four times since the beginning of 2018, with the Cardinals now holding a 3-1 advantage against the Tigers. Their most recent encounter (in 2022) ended in a narrow 2-1 defeat but, interestingly enough, history seemed to repeat itself this time around after the last time the Cardinals visited Wittenberg.

The 2021 match concluded with a familiar outcome as the decisive goal was netted in the 66th minute by Lauren Alley who was set up by Anjuli Anderson with an assist. Scoring to win this 2023 installment was no other than Anderson, just a bit later on...
 
FIRST HALF:

The matchup stayed level at 0-0 during a competitive opening frame. Both teams were quick off the mark, registering seven shot attempts in the opening 15 minutes. The match continued to see-saw, with both sides commiting some fouls and rotating in subs off the bench.
 
SECOND HALF:

In a tense second half, neither team could score despite a handful of opportunities at each end. Ella Schwertfager delivered (what would become) a shutout goalkeeping performance with four saves to help give her offense a shot.

Anderson's 84th-minute goal proved to be the decider. Cailynn Adelman stole possession away from a Tiger defender looking to move upfield, and rocketed a ball into the box. Wittenberg's goalie took a few steps out of the net to try and corral it but couldn't quite hold on, and Anderson was there darting it to clean up the play. 

Wittenberg couldn't break the Cardinal defense in the remaining five minutes in what became an edge-of-your seat finish.
 
BACK-TO-BACK FUTBOL:

The Cardinals commence Homecoming festivities on Saturday with a matchup against No. 8-ranked Case Western Reserve at 11 a.m. Otterbein will then take on Wilmington in football directly after. Fans are encouraged to get to Memorial Stadium early!