By: Sean Neidig, sports information graduate assistant

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Capital University Women's Soccer (4-6-1, 2-1-0 OAC) has been able to hang its hat on its defense in 2017 and did so again on Saturday afternoon. However, one mistake led to the only goal of the match in Cap's 1-0 loss to No. 17 Ohio Northern University (10-1-1, 3-0-0 OAC), Capital's first loss in Ohio Athletic Conference play this season.

For the first 54 minutes of the game, Capital's defense played as well as it had all season. Ohio Northern was able to get off a decent number of shots but none of very high quality. Goalkeeper Kelly Bachmann (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville Community) made six saves in the first half for Capital and ONU attempted nine first-half shots. In the 55th minute though, a defensive miscue led to the ONU's only goal.

With the Crusaders attempting to control the ball deep in their own territory after successfully defending a throw-in, Ohio Northern's Rose Nienaber stole the ball away and quickly sent it towards goal. The ball was just out of the reach of Bachmann's outstretched arm and ONU had a 1-0 lead.

Capital's offense was smothered all afternoon by an ONU defense that has only given up one goal in its past 10 games. Capital was only able to get one shot on goal, a strike in the 81st minute from Abby Gruber (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville North). For the game, Capital was outshot 16-5.

The Crusaders did their best to get the equalizer in the final few minutes of the game and were able to get off three shots in the final 10 minutes, although none of them found the back of the net.

With the win, Ohio Northern has now won eight matches in a row and has outscored its opponents 19-1 over that span.

In its next contest, Capital will travel to take on Muskingum University on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 4 p.m.