ADA, Ohio – What started as a big first quarter unfortunately transpired into a tough loss for the Otterbein men's lacrosse team Saturday afternoon, as the No. 5 seeded Cardinals bowed out of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament quarterfinals to conclude the spring.

The Cardinals led early, before host and No. 4 seed Ohio Northern erupted with a dominant second quarter to never look back. By the time the final horn sounded, the Polar Bears rested on top with a 21-10 decision.

Otterbein ends the campaign with an even 8-8 record while ONU (13-5) advances to the semifinals next week.

HOW IT WENT DOWN:

• A game Cardinal squad, eager to avenge a quarterfinal loss last year in the same venue, was on point early with four goals in the first seven minutes. Max Graham scored before you could blink after Sam Becker won the opening faceoff, Nathan Lewis was next in line moments later, and Dom Dean converted back-to-back goals for a 4-1 lead.
   
• Otterbein then carried a 5-2 advantage into the second frame before ONU broke loose. The Polar Bears scored eight time in less than 10 minutes and, all of a sudden, doubled up the Cards for a 12-6 cushion at intermission.
   
• The home side remained on the gas pedal with five more goals in the third and kept the Cardinals at an 8-9 goal deficit throughout.
   
• Otterbein tried to make a push early in the fourth quarter when Graham and Zach Mulligan converted, but the climb back would be too steep with not enough time.

STAT CHECK:

• The Cardinals performed well yet again at the faceoff X by winning 23 of 34 on the day, led by the 10 for 17 effort of Becker following his record-setting outing earlier this week. Davis Tanaka won six in his final college game while Chase Lagore went a clean 4 for 4.
   
• Dom Dean scored five goals to match ONU's Aidan Dempsey for a game-high in scoring.
   
• Graham scored twice, caused a pair of turnovers, had four ground balls and also won a faceoff.
   
• Returning All-OAC product Cayden Rohe had eight ground balls, while Becker had seven and Jack Regruth scooped another six.
   
• The clean game saw just five total penalties whistled.
   
• Cole Zaferakis made 11 saves in the home net.