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Otterbein University Athletics

Otterbein Cardinals

irani
Photo courtesy of Marvet Hejazin
1
Wilmington (OH) WIL (13-5-3, 6-2-0)
4
Winner Otterbein OTT (11-2-5, 6-1-1)
Wilmington (OH) WIL
(13-5-3, 6-2-0)
1
Final
4
Otterbein OTT
(11-2-5, 6-1-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Wilmington (OH) WIL 0 1 1
Otterbein OTT 1 3 4

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Championship bound! Men's soccer rolls in Semifinals

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – For the third consecutive season, the Otterbein University men's soccer team will play for an OAC Tournament Championship. On Thursday, the No. 2 seeded Cardinals defeated the No. 3 seed Wilmington College Quakers in the OAC Semifinals, 4-1 to advance to Sunday. 

Just over five minutes into the match, an own goal by the Quakers allowed Otterbein to claim an early 1-0 lead. As Lincoln Wallce danced through the Quaker defense, a Wilmington player knocked the ball into the net, securing the lead for the hosts. The 1-0 score would hold into halftime as neither team was able to break through for the remainder of the period. 

Wilmington scored the equalizer exactly three minutes into the second half. A corner from the Quakers was met at the other end by the foot of Brayden Spencer, knotting things up at 1-1. 

Otterbein took the lead for good on a set piece in the 59th minute. Drew Boettcher sent a corner to the near post, where senior Jacob Irani headed the ball past the Quaker keeper for a 2-1 advantage. The goal was Irani's second of the season.

The Cardinals scored a much-needed insurance goal in the 78th minute. Freshman Xavier Stocks found fellow freshman Wallace, who buried his team-leading 13th goal of the season for a 3-1 advantage. The duo teamed up again moments later, with Wallace finding Stocks for the final strike of the evening. 

Otterbein outshot the Quakers, 20-8 and held a 7-2 edge in corners. Freshman goalkeeper Jayden Burdine tallied three saves in the match. His back line of Alex Greene, Nate Erre, Eli Traber and Irani were tremendous at limiting the Quaker opportunities. 

With Ohio Northern defeating Mount Union, 4-1, the Cardinals will travel to Ada on Sunday for the Championship match. Kickoff against ONU is set for 1 p.m.
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1 South Grove Street, Westerville, Ohio 43081 / (614) 823 - 3546