COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University men's soccer team welcomed their rivals Otterbein to the south side of the city on Saturday, facing off in the Battle for the Oar presented by Byers Airport Subaru. It was the first taste of true fall weather at Bernlohr Stadium as the teams were greeted by a chilly and overcast afternoon as they took the pitch. The chill wasn't the only thing in the air as a heightened intensity was also present due to the proximity of the two Columbus schools and the heated rivalry as a result. In the end, neither team was able to get the upper hand and the game ended in a draw 1-1.

Capital moves on to a 1-5-2 record as the Comets start conference play with a 0-0-1 record.

CU stops Otterbein's winning streak at four games as the Cardinals are now 6-1-1 and 0-0-1 in the OAC.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The game was nothing short of expectations in terms of pure physicality between the teams. Despite a fairly cordial start, the intensity of the rivalry was soon to start showing in the first half as both sides began to play more aggressive defensively. It was also a very faced-paced game on the offensive end with the squads trading deep runs towards each other's goals. 

It wasn't until nearly 20 minutes in that Capital was finally able to break through and draw first blood. The goal came via a throw-in courtesy of Samuel Yocum, off the head of Jack Francisco, and falling to Zade Awad who quickly deposited it into the back of the net. The intensity only increased from that moment on as the Comets fought tooth and nail to stay ahead and the Cardinals doing the same as they tried to equalize. 

The aforementioned defensive aggressiveness would come to bite Capital in the closing moments of the first half as a foul just outside the box left the Cardinals with a great look at the goal. Otterbein's Will Isaac would take advantage and send the free kick flying into the upper right corner of the goal and out of the reach of Cap's Conner Sexton, knotting the game at one goal apiece. When the teams headed to the locker rooms, it was a brand new ballgame.

As one can imagine, the game only got scrappier in the second half. The two rival schools tied 1-1 with bragging rights on the line led to a much more aggressive approach from both sides. It truly was a battle for the oar as the contest came to a close. However, neither team was able to secure a go-ahead goal, and the game ended in a draw with the score still knotted, 1-1.


THE NUMBERS
The added intensity was certainly visible in the on-field play as the teams combined for a total of 29 fouls, split nearly evenly with Capital committing 15 and Otterbein committing 14. It was also a busy afternoon for the referees book as there were four yellow cards given in the contest, two to each team.

On the offensive end, Otterbein held the advantage in the box score, firing a total of 14 shots, half of which were on target. Capital put together nine attempts, but only managed one shot on goal in the form of Awad's goal.

Zade Awad scored his first goal of the season on his only shot of the game. Samuel Yocum and Jack Francisco were credited with the assists on the score. 

Jarrett Puckett led the Comets in shot attempts with four. He was joined by Alex Moore with two, and Francisco and Colin McComb with one apiece. 

Connor Sexton patrolled the pipes for Capital. He played the full 90 minutes and made five saves.

 
UP NEXT
The Comets hit the road next, traveling to Wilmington on Wednesday, October 5 for a 7:00 p.m. matchup with the Quakers.