COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University women's lacrosse team (11-4, 5-1 OAC) squared off with archrivals Otterbein (8-5, 4-2 OAC) on Saturday in the 2024 edition of the Battle for the Oar. 

There was a lot more than just bragging rights and an oar on the line in this one as head coach Stacey Florence faced off with one of her former players in the form of Comets' standout star and now Otterbein head coach Brooke Delara, with their two squads sitting dead even at the top of the OAC standings at 4-1 in the conference, both eyeing a regular season title and a first-round bye for the conference tournament. 

On top of all that, the day was also senior day at Bernlohr Stadium as lone senior Rylee Jarvis was honored in a special pregame ceremony. 

In the end, the Purple and White would rally late to retain possession of the oar for the third straight year since its implementation in 2022, coming away with a 17-14 win. The win marks the ninth straight for CU over their crosstown foes, as well as their 11th straight at home dating back to April of last year.

With just one game left, Cap has all but claimed the OAC regular season title, just needing a win against Muskingum on Wednesday to make it official. In doing so, they would also secure the top seed in the upcoming conference tournament running April 27th to May 4th. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Capital found themselves on the wrong side of a close first half, being outscored 4-3 in the first quarter and 6-5 in the second to face a two-goal deficit at the half, 10-8. Grace Osborn got two of the first three goals in the game with Andi Henry having the third. Henry would have two more in the second quarter, along with a pair from Ava Vendetti and a solo score from Grace Osborn. 

The Comets would get one back in the third quarter as they outscored the Cardinals 2-1 as Henry netted another pair. Finally, the difference maker came in the form of a 7-3 fourth quarter for Cap that saw Cap still down 13-14 with six minutes left, before a string of four straight gave CU the largest lead of the game and the 17-14 win. Osborn, Henry, and Vendetti each netted two, with Heather Stoner scoring the goal that swung the momentum and started the game-winning run. 

THE NUMBERS
Andi Henry had a game-high seven goals along with one assist for eight points. She also secured three draw controls with two ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Grace Osborn scored five goals with two assists for seven points, adding five draw controls, three ground balls, and two caused turnovers. She is currently the NCAA's active leader in goals scored at 355, six ahead of Division I Northwestern's Izzy Scane at 349.

Ava Vendetti netted four goals with one assist for five points, along with a team-high seven draw controls, two ground balls and one caused turnover.

Heather Stoner finished off the scoresheet with one goal. 

Brenna Todd led the defensive efforts with three caused turnovers and four ground balls. She was joined on the statsheet by Holly Stoner (1 CT, 1 GB), Rylee Jarvis (1 CT), Leah Leno (1 GB), and Grace Wolfe (1 GB). 

Emily Serafinchon (11-4) made five saves during her evening in the cage, picking up her eleventh win of the season. 

UP NEXT
The Comets will host Muskingum in the regular season finale on Wednesday, set to get started from Bernlohr Stadium at 7 p.m.