WESTERVILLE – In front of the home crowd Wednesday night, the Otterbein University men's soccer team battled nationally top-ranked Denison to a 3-3 draw, handing the Big Red their first blemish of the season. Denison entered the match at 5-0 and had not allowed a goal prior to facing the Cardinals.

The visitors struck first in the eighth minute, capitalizing on a long throw-in that was finished inside the box. Otterbein answered midway through the first half as senior Nick Isaac delivered a free kick into the box, where senior Patrick Ahrens connected on a header to even the score. Denison would regain the advantage just before halftime with a penalty kick, making it 2-1 at the break.

The Cardinals wasted no time in the second half, pulling level once again at the 47th minute. Ahrens served a cross from the right side that found Isaac, who collected the ball and finished low into the net. Denison briefly moved back in front with a strike in the 57th minute, but Otterbein had one more answer. Freshman Lincoln Wallace capitalized in the 83rd minute, cutting in from the right before firing into the bottom-right corner for the equalizer.

Denison earned a free kick just outside the box in the closing seconds, but Isaac stepped in front to block the attempt and preserve the draw as time expired.

Denison finished with 11 total shots (six on goal) while Otterbein generated 10 attempts, including five on frame in the second half. Sophomore goalkeeper Jason Villalobos tallied three saves in the first period, while the Cardinals posted nine shots and two corners after halftime.

Otterbein will return home Saturday afternoon to host Trine in Memorial Stadium.