WESTERVILLE, Ohio – A game that was written up to be physical and impacted by significant moments for the Capital University men's lacrosse team went in the favor of the host Otterbein University by a final score of 7-5. 

In total, the game featured 13 penalties called, including nine on the Comets (5-7, 2-3 OAC). Arguably, the most pivotal moment in the game came at the 13:13 mark of the fourth quarter as Brenden Pelton looked to have scored a equalizing goal at 5-5, but the officials ruled an unnecessary roughness penalty on Pelton in the process, leading to no goal for Capital and an Otterbein goal on the ensuing man-up opportunity – a momentum changing decision. 

Despite the physicality of the game, Capital was led offensively by Evan Frund who scored a hat-trick, and Mason Spaulding and Pelton who each scored once. Nathan Montgomery registered two assists, while Jack Scharner and Pelton each one helper a piece. 

On the defensive side of the game, Cap forced eight Otterbein turnovers and picked up 21 ground balls, with Doc Crimmel serving as a leader in both categories with two each. Seven different players had two ground balls each. 

Sam McInturf made 11 saves in the cage, marking the 11th time this season he's recorded double-digit saves. Holding the Cardinals to just seven goals was the sixth time this season he has held an opponent to single-digit scoring. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half was much as expected coming into the game – physical. Through the first two periods of play, the officiating crew whistled seven penalties between the two teams, with Capital being responsible for five of those infractions. 

In the scoring department, Capital struggled mightily as they took 17 shots in the first half, with only five finding the target and only one resulting in a goal. After trailing 3-0, the lone tally for the Comets came in the second quarter with 5:16 remaining, as Jack Scharner played set-up man for Evan Frund to lash home a shot. 

As the Comets regrouped over halftime, they emerged from the break with a man-up opportunity and quickly cashed in. Frund nabbed his second goal of the game off a pass from Nathan Montgomery to get Cap going. Just over a minute later, Otterbein grabbed a goal through Kendrick Rogers, but Capital quickly netted two more to tie the game at 4-4 before four minutes had passed in the quarter. 

After the Rogers goal, Mason Spaulding dropped in a goal off the doorstep off another assist from Montgomery. Then, not even a minute later, Frund completed his hat-trick with a second man-up goal, this time with the assist going to Brenden Pelton. Before the third quarter would end the Cardinals would net one more goal, taking a 5-4 lead into the final 15 minutes of action. 

Just under two minutes into the fourth, it looked as though Brenden Pelton scored just on top of the crease, but a bump from a defender forced him into contact with the Otterbein goalie. With a judgment to be made, one official ruled a goal and the other ruled Pelton initiated the contact. After discussion, the goal was eventually chalked off and Pelton was sent to the penalty box for a non-releasable penalty. Of course, on the ensuing man-down opportunity, Otterbein scored a sixth goal to go ahead by two. The period of play proved to be the exact momentum swing that the hosts needed to stave off the building pressure from Capital. 

After another Capital penalty led to an extended possession and eventually a goal for the Cardinals, making it 7-4, Pelton finally got his goal – a strong shot from about 15-20 yards from goal -- bring the score to 7-5. Unfortunately, the goal proved to be consolation as Otterbein did enough to keep the Comets off the board the rest of the way. 

THE OPPONENT
Six different players scored for the Cardinals (5-6, 3-2), with Aidan Moore leading the way with two goals. Nick Asuan led all players with five ground balls. Zach Groene made 11 saves in the Otterbein cage. 

UP NEXT
The Comets will have a week to re-group and then they will host the University of Mount Union next Friday, April 15th for senior day at Bernlohr Stadium. The faceoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and the program's 11 seniors and graduate students will be recognized for their contributions to the program over the years prior to the start of the game.