Bison Lacrosse Upended by Otterbein

March 17 – BETHANY, W. Va. – The Bethany College lacrosse team opened the home portion of their 2016 season with a 17-5 defeat at the hands of Otterbein University on Thursday evening.

The Bison (0-6) trailed early after Otterbein (3-3) scored twice to start the first quarter.

Bethany responded with a goal from Jacob Schiffer (Monkton, Md./Hereford) off the pass from Dominic Halstead (Columbia, Md./Wilde Lake) to make it 2-1.

Otterbein managed to increase their lead over the quarter, taking a 5-1 lead after the opening period. The Cardinals recorded 13 shots in the first.

The Otterbein offense struck again quickly in the second quarter as they eventually built an 8-1 advantage over the Bison. 

Bethany's Jake Holland (Canton, Ohio/Jackson) cut the deficit with a goal of his own, scoring after making a 30-yard run to the cage.

Holland picked up another point after he found teammate Tyler Peck (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) streaking on the right side for the goal just before halftime. The Bison trailed 9-3 at the intermission.

The Cardinals controlled the third period, extending their lead to double digits. Otterbein held on in the fourth quarter for a 17-5 victory.

Bryan Uth (Hedgesville, W. Va./Hedgesville) notched his first goal of the season with a late goal in the fourth period. Schiffer added another as well, marking his fourth score on the year.

Defensively, goaltender Sean Rhodes (Indiana, Pa./Indiana Area Senior) kept the Green & White in the game with 11 first half saves. Rhodes finished with 16 stops between the pipes.

Uth totaled eight ground balls as he won 12-of-21 attempts in the faceoff circle, leading Bethany in both categories.

The Bison will return to action on Monday, March 21 as they host Hope College at 3:00 p.m.