ALLIANCE, Ohio – A dominant second quarter by the Otterbein University men's lacrosse team led the Cardinals to a 19-11 win over the University of Mount Union. Nine different Cardinals recorded points in the win, improving the squad to 2-1 in conference play. 

Gabe Thayer and Jack Regruth each finished with four goals and one assist. Sam Becker was 15 for 28 from the faceoff X, picking up eight ground balls in the win. 

In a back-and-forth first quarter, Mount Union used a late strike to hold a 5-4 lead through one period. The Cardinals scored the first three goals of the game thanks to Marcus Wright, Becker and Regruth before Mount Union responded.

Nick King's man-up goal early in the second quarter tied the game, but the Purple Raiders tacked on two more goals for a 7-5 lead. After the Mount Union goals, Otterbein fired off eight straight goals to close out the first half and claim a 12-7 advantage. Thayer (2), Becker, Max Luther, Zach Merrill and Regruth (2) all netted goals in the 8-0 Otterbein run. 

Andrew Lewis connected with King to keep the momentum rolling into the second half. The Purple Raiders would score the next four goals to cut the Otterbein lead to two, but the Cardinals had a response ready with three goals before the end of the quarter. Thayer, Lewis and King all recorded goals before Regruth started the fourth with a goal to inflate the lead to 17-11.

Defensively, the Cardinals were led by Theron Cable's three caused turnovers. Zach Courie earned the win in goal, recording eight saves. 

Otterbein outshot the hosts, 52-30, and was an efficient 26 of 28 on the clear. The Cardinals limited Mount Union to converting 18 of its 26 clear attempts. 

The Cardinals will host Capital next Friday in the Battle for the Oar. First faceoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. against the Comets.