Otterbein women’s soccer team lost to the Ohio Northern Polar Bears on Clements Field on Wednesday, 1-0. The loss brings the Cards to a 7-5-1 record for the season.
Both teams fought hard for possession of the ball, with the Cards showing a clear offensive advantage in the first half. In a game of keep-away, the Polar Bears did not get within range of their first shot attempt until 35 minutes into the game.
“It was a very evenly matched game,” said Abby Misch, former player and Otterbein senior public relations major.
Ending the half with 10-6 shot attempt, the Cards were favored for the game win.
“We came out thinking that we were going to win it,” Otterbein junior public relations major and midfielder Alicia Contrascier said. “We just need to throw our bodies into it more next time.”
The second half brought a new team out of the Polar Bears. In the 54th minute of the game, the Bears saw a shot by Ohio Northern junior Sandra Thorarensen go straight over Dana Strimbu—Otterbein’s keeper—and right into the net giving them the 1-0 lead.
“They came out in the second half with a lot of intensity,” said Tara Carter, Otterbein’s assistant coach. “(That) really put us on our toes.”
The Cards fought back in the latter half trying to gain enough traction to get back in the game but ultimately fell short.
“I’m proud of the effort that we gave, but in these types of games (against a rival), it takes something special,” Carter said.
