COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Otterbein University women's lacrosse team delivered a statement win Friday afternoon, defeating Capital University 20-1 to claim the Battle for the Oar at Bernlohr Stadium.
The victory marks Otterbein's first win in the rivalry since 2015 and secures the program's first Battle for the Oar, as the Cardinals improve to 8-3 overall and 2-0 in OAC play.
Otterbein controlled the game from the opening draw and never let up. The Cardinals struck first on a man-up goal from freshman
Dakota Klein and quickly built momentum, scoring four times in the opening quarter to take command early.
The offensive surge continued into the second, as Otterbein added five more goals to take a 9-0 lead into halftime. Senior Ava Robey sparked the stretch with back-to-back goals, while Klein and freshman Leela Henry continued to find the back of the net.
Otterbein kept its foot on the gas in the third quarter, extending the lead with another five-goal frame. Freshmen Karley Gerst and Madi McIntosh each contributed during the run, while Henry added to her strong afternoon.
Capital broke through late in the third, but the Cardinals quickly responded and closed the game in dominant fashion with six fourth-quarter goals.
Henry led the Cardinals with five goals and two assists, while Klein matched her with five goals and two assists, marking a career-high scoring performance. Gerst added three goals and two assists, and Robey finished with three goals and two assists.
Otterbein showcased its depth offensively, with McIntosh scoring twice and junior Alyssa Glenn and senior Gillian Roeder each adding a goal.
Defensively, the Cardinals were just as sharp, holding Capital to a single goal. Sophomore Alayna Bogner started in net and made four saves, while freshman Kristina Pérez and sophomore Catherine Hannaford combined to finish the effort.
Otterbein outshot Capital 44-17 and forced 18 turnovers in a complete performance on both ends of the field.
Otterbein returns home Wednesday, April 8 to host Marietta College at 7 p.m. on Senior Night inside Memorial Stadium.
