On an already weather-dampened day, the Cardinals would dampen the Blue Streaks' momentum early in Ohio Athletic Conference play

John Carroll University (5-4, 1-1 OAC) traveled to Westerville, Ohio to take on Otterbein University (6-3,2-0 OAC). The Cardinals would defeat the Blue Streaks for the first time since 2015 by a score of 14-9. This is the first conference road loss, and just the second conference regular season loss under Head Coach Joe Rautenstrauch. 

It was also JCU's first conference road loss since April 13, 2016 (9-8 at Mount Union)

JCU struck first in the contest with Skyler Blake scoring less than a minute and a half elapsing on the clock. However, Jake Grundey would score the tying goal about three minutes later. After both defenses held the opposing team scoreless, Grundey would score twice more in the final four minutes, and that would take the Cardinals into the second quarter with a 3-1 lead.

Otterbein would continue their offensive momentum into the next 15 minutes. The Cardinals notched four goals with in the opening seven minutes of the second to make the score 7-1. The Blue Streaks would be able to gather goals of their own around the seven-minute mark when Colin Corcoran and Patrick O'Grady, with the assist from Kevin Hack, each scored almost a minute apart from each other, and made the score 7-3. Otterbein added three more goals, but the final two minutes saw Hack and Corcoran, with an assist from Brendan Whitty, get John Carroll back within five, and the score would be 10-5 at the half.

It would be a tough night in goal for Jacob Betz. He started the game, but he would exit towards the end of the second quarter. He finished with six saves. JP Chinelly would finish the half, and he recorded a save.

After the halftime break, a back-and-forth third quarter would ensue. An early goal from Otterbein would be answered by Logan Collins. Another goal by the Cardinals would be followed up by goals from Collin Corcoran and Patrick O'Grady, which would both be assisted by Kevin Hack, and JCU was able to narrow the deficit to make it 12-8 at the end of the third quarter.

Two goals within the first five minutes of each other would be split between the two sides with Logan Collins answering an early Cardinal goal. The defenses would keep the opposing offenses at bay, but Otterbein added one more goal in the final five minutes, and gave the Cardinals the 14-9 win.

JP Chinelly added another save to his tally, while Clayton Karam led the Blue Streaks in ground balls by getting seven in the game.

Otterbein had the better of the opportunities, winning the shots battle (41-30) in part to winning 17 of a possible 27 faceoffs.
    
John Carroll will return home on Wednesday, April 3rd, as they take on cross-town rival Baldwin Wallace. The last time these two teams met was last May, when the Blue Streaks defeated the Yellow Jackets to capture their third consecutive OAC Tournament Championship. Face-off for Wednesday night's meeting is at 7:00 PM.