COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University men's lacrosse team (2-5, 0-1 OAC) hosted rival Otterbein (3-4, 1-0 OAC) on Saturday for the 2025 edition of the Battle for the Oar. Despite a late push, the Comets would come up short 15-11. On the bright side for the Purple and White was graduate attackman Mason Spaulding scoring his program-record 28th career man-up goal.

Things started fairly close and the two sides were separated by just one goal following the first quarter with Otterbein holding the slight advantage, 3-2. Ty Chase and Colton Woods got things started on offense for CU. The game would start to tilt further in the Cardinals' direction in the second quarter as Cap was only able to put up one goal, giving up four on the other end. Elliott Rhoton was responsible for the lone Capital goal. At the halfway point, the Purple and White faced a 7-3 deficit.

The deficit was increased to six at the start of the third quarter as Otterbein scored two more to complete a run of six-straight continuing on from the second quarter. This would be just a small part of a 7-2 quarter for the Cardinals as the Comets struggled on both ends of the field. Chase and Mason Spaulding scored the two for CU, eventually leading to a 14-5 game heading into the final 15 minutes. Otterbein put another in at the start of the fourth quarter, taking a 10-point and completing another six-goal run that started in the third quarter. The Purple and White would then go on their own six-goal run as they tried desperately to get back into the game, but it was too little too late, ending in a 15-11 game in favor of Otterbein. Jacob Poole put in two in the fourth quarter, joined by one each from Rhoton, Logan Ensign, Chase, and Spaulding.

THE NUMBERS
Ty Chase put up a team-high five points on three goals and two assists along with four ground balls.

Jacob Poole put in two goals with one assist for three points, tying his career high with five ground balls and causing a turnover as well.

Mason Spauldling scored two goals and added an assist for three points. He caused three turnovers and picked up six ground balls as well. His second goal of the day was his 28th career man-up goal, making him the lone holder of the program record.

Elliott Rhoton recorded new career highs for both goals and points with two each, additionally having a caused turnover and a ground ball.

Colton Woods scored one goal with two caused turnovers and one ground ball.

Logan Ensign scored his first career goal, grabbing a ground ball as well.

Evan Legner got his first career point via an assist.

Freddy Noday and Tyler Lieu went a combined 19-for-30 on the faceoff. Noday was 12-for-17 with six ground balls and one caused turnover. Lieu was 7-for-13 with three ground balls.

Eric Patterson (3 CT, 1 GB), Gino Nave (2 CT, 5 GB), Anthony Carusone (1 CT, 3 GB), Leelan Durham (1 CT, 2 GB), Dylan Christopherson (1 CT), Jackson Hart (3 GB), Ian Zaletel (2 GB), Jackson Gantz (1 GB), Devin Flynn (1 GB), and Max Schillig (1 GB) led things on the defensive end.

Tyler Carney (2-5) and Luc Kadlic split time in the cage. Carney got the start and played the first three quarters, making eight saves. Kadlic came in for the fourth, making one save.

UP NEXT
The Comets continue their OAC schedule on Wednesday, paying a visit to Marietta at 7:00 p.m.