COLUMBUS – The Capital University women's soccer captured the 2013 Ohio Athletic Conference title, winning 1-0 against Otterbein on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday's game also marked the women's soccer team's Class of 2014 senior day at Bernlohr Stadium.

"I am especially proud of the team spirit of this group," said head coach Chris Kouns. "When we found out we were playing for the OAC Championship the entire team was focused on doing what was necessary to help achieve this team goal.  It is always gratifying when you see a team come together with the overall success in mind over individual priorities and as a result this team was able to give our senior class their second OAC Championship in the past three years.  This honor puts their class in rare company and it is a legacy that no one can take away from them."

A scoreless 43 minutes passed before freshman Claire Quinn tallied the lone goal of the match on a shot that was struck into the back of the net, giving Capital a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.

As the second half of play unfolded, an aggressive attack on both sides of the field was the source of a miniscule amount of nine total shots combined in the second half.

The Cardinals managed to attempt a few attempts on goal in the final half, but to no avail, as senior goalkeeper Maggie Donnellan locked down the net for the Crusaders throughout the entire match.

In total, Capital managed to manufacture three of its seven shots on goal, while Otterbein tallied seven of its eight shots on goal.

Leading the way for the Crusaders was Quinn, who recorded her first goal of the season, while Donnellan saved all seven shots on goal that she faced.

"Individually, I was really excited to see such a tremendous goal end up being the difference maker," Kouns said. "Claire (Quinn) struck a perfect ball and it was well deserved for all the yeoman's work she has done this year in the midfield. I was also very excited by the play of Maggie (Donnellan). When things got frantic in the back Maggie came up huge and was the difference in the pipes. That is what you expect of the two-time OAC Goalkeeper of the Year and she has not disappointed.  I also thought that Becca (Cartmill) did an outstanding job with her work rate in the midfield and up top.  Her efforts on both sides of the ball certainly contributed to the outcome today.  However great those individual efforts were, make no doubt about it this was all about the team and everyone on the field and on the sideline putting their heart into winning a championship."

With the win and regular season title all wrapped up, Capital (14-4-1, 7-2-0 OAC) has earned the No. 1 seed in OAC Tournament, and is set to host a semifinals match at 2 p.m. on Nov. 7 at Bernlohr Stadium.

"I am so proud of this group and especially of our core group of leaders," Kouns said. "Even when things appeared out of our control after our loss to Ohio Northern, senior captain Corey (McClellan) refused to believe the dream of a regular season championship was over and she was right.  Since we lost to John Carroll last year, our four captains have worked really hard to get us to this point and the team's success can be traced directly back to them."

Kouns went on to point out how since the Crusaders have clinched the regular season conference title, this ought to help propel them in the upcoming OAC Tournament and hopefully beyond.

"Going forward we realize, as wonderful as today feels, our journey will be for naught if we do not refocus and rededicate ourselves to bring our best on Thursday," Kouns said. "Last year we allowed ourselves to be put out of the OAC Tournament on penalty kicks and that taste is still bitter. With that as motivation and the successful process we've put in place all year we hope to be able to move forward and continue laying a foundation of success that will make everyone associated with the program and our history proud."

Stay tuned this coming week for the announcement of the Crusaders opponent, as they await quarterfinals matches to take place, beginning on Nov. 5.