The defense shined on Barclay-Thomsen Field in Granville as the Denison Big Red and the fifth-ranked Cardinals of Otterbein University battled to a scoreless draw on Wednesday night.

The Cards logged the first quality scoring opportunity in the 5th minute when Adrienne Novak ripped a shot on net that was pushed aside by freshman goalie Andrea Karl (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty).  Denison answered back roughly a minute later when a streaking Jen Clemmer (Hixson, Tenn./The Baylor School) fired a shot from just outside the 18-yard box that sailed wide left.  Otterbein outshot the Big Red in the opening frame 6-4, including a 5-2 edge in shots on goal.

The Cardinals looked to strike quickly in the opening minute of second period as Novak once again found a lane through the Denison defense.  As she neared the Big Red goal, a charging Karl forced Novak to alter her shooting motion which resulted in the Cardinal midfielder pushing the ball just wide of the goal.

Denison also got some solid opportunities in the middle stages of the period.  In the 58th minute, Clemmer found a wide open Kimmi Oshita (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) at the top of the 18.  Oshita looped a shot toward the goal that was punched over the cross bar by Otterbein keeper Tara Carter.  A few minutes later, senior Jenn Sloan (Bethesda, Md./Sidwell Friends School) sent a cross that found junior Tory Danis (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood) right in the middle of the 18-yard box.  Danis ripped a shot toward the goal, but Carter was right there to corralled the attempt.

DU's scoring chance in the final minute of regulation closely resembled Otterbein's opportunity in the opening minute.  First-year Libbie Randolph (Hardyville, Va./Christchurch School) received a through ball deep in the attack zone that forced Carter to come out of her net and challenge.  When the Cardinal keeper left her line Randolph attempted to lift the ball over the goalie and into the net.  However, like Otterbein's attempt, the ball sailed just wide of the right post.

In the first OT both teams recorded an off goal shot, while the Cards attempted two shots off net in the second extra session.  Karl finished the match with a career-high seven saves, and Carter stopped five shots for OU.

Denison moves to 3-2-2 on the year, while Otterbein now sits at 4-0-1 overall.  DU returns to action on Saturday (Sept. 18) when they travel to Transylvania University.  Match time is slated for 3 p.m.