The team combination of senior captain Dan Ensign and junior Matt Beckett has brought two recent upsets in favor of the Otterbein men's soccer team. Last Saturday in Berea, the combo struck first, with Beckett scoring the game-winner in the second OT, off an Ensign cross. The goal proved the difference as the Cardinals defeated No. 7 ranked Baldwin-Wallace by a score of 1-0. Lightning struck twice this past Tuesday, as Ensign set Beckett up for the header in the 87th minute to surpass Mount Union by a score of 2-1. Before facing the Yellow Jackets the Cardinals did their homework, and it paid off. "I knew they were a tough team and played a lot of fast paced possession," said Ensign. "They have scored a lot of goals in their previous games, which made me a little worried." "We were win less in our first two league games and a third consecutive loss would put us in a terrible hole to start off the OAC," said senior captain RJ Lindquist. "We knew this game was to be very challenging for us." As the first and second halves were marked with matching zeros, it was clear that at the end of regulation neither team was letting this game go without a fight. "We were feeling confident because we have played in multiple overtimes already and our fitness is good," said Beckett. "In an earlier game this season against Wilmington, we went into overtime and we had a mental lapse that cost us the game," said Lindquist. "All I was thinking about was keeping the team focused and ready to play." said Lindquist. The focus paid off as they brought the upset to BW. "Everyone put in their piece of the puzzle to make it happen," said junior midfielder Harrison Jones. "As with a lot of our games, we were just missing a few things but on that night we put it all together and it was exciting to see the results of hard work." Otterbein out shot BW 19-18 during the game and both teams recorded six corner kicks. Junior goalie David Dziedzicki had 10 saves. Tuesday night's game against Mount Union was a come from behind win. As the first half ended, the Raiders were ahead 1-0. At the 52nd minute mark, junior Auggie Fisher tied up the score when he headed a cross past the Raider goalie. Beckett scored the second goal in the 87th minute. Though Mount Union was able to outshoot Otterbein, the Cardinals were still able to finish first with a score of 2-1. Both teams had five corner kicks. Goalie Dziedzicki had 2 saves. "We are a great team and these wins opened our eyes to our potential," said Beckett. With three weeks and six games to go, the Cardinals are looking to make the OAC playoffs. After two big wins, they seem to be on the right track. "We're going to need that same intensity and focus for 90 minutes each game in order for us to make it to the post season," said Lindquist. "We have now proven to ourselves that we deserve respect in the OAC." The Cardinals travel to Tiffin to face Heidelberg this Saturday at 7p.m. Otterbein moves to 5-5-2 overall and 2-2 in the OAC with their two latest victories. t&c;
OC heads their way to victory
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