Box Score Denison picked up its first victory of 2012 thanks to a career-high three goal performance by junior Blake Miller. The hat trick helped Denison topple Otterbein 4-2 on Sunday afternoon.
A Westerville, Ohio native, Miller performed well in his hometown, scoring his first goal in the third minute of play after he knocked in a loose ball in front of Cardinal goalkeeper Kyle Ripma.
Otterbein would tie the match in the 29th minute when Aaric Milligan found the back of the net. That tie would be short lived as Miller would head in his second goal of the contest less than one minute after Milligan's score. Miller's go-ahead goal came via a cross by Bob Casarona.
Minutes before the end of the first half, DU would take a 3-1 lead after Adam Severs scored via an assist from Andrew Vance.
In the second half, Otterbein trimmed the Denison lead to one when Jared Pulliam scored on a deflection after a save by Big Red goalkeeper Matt Wagner. The Otterbein score came in the 62nd minute and the next 20 minutes would be scoreless until Miller controlled a loose ball in front of the goal and converted once again, setting the final at 4-2.
The Cardinals held an 11-10 advantage in shots but Wagner was outstanding in goal for the Big Red. He posted seven saves, with three coming in the second half. Ripman turned Denison away twice, with one save in the first half and one in the second.
DU moves to 1-0-1 on the season while Otterbein falls to 1-1. Denison will return to action on Wednesday (Sept. 5) at Capital University.
