ADA — The Ohio Northern men’s soccer team handed Otterbein its first Ohio Athletic Conference loss of the season, winning 3-0 on Wednesday at the ONU Soccer Field.

The Polar Bears improve to 11-4 overall and 3-1 in the OAC, while the Cardinals drop to 6-7 overall and 3-1 in the OAC.

With 3-1 conference records, ONU and Otterbein are now in a four-way tie with John Carroll and Heidelberg for first place in the OAC.

In its three previous OAC matches Otterbein had yet to give up a goal, but ONU ended the Cardinals’ shutout streak just 1:47 into the game.

Senior Nick Farmwald scored off an assist from senior Zach Huffman to give Northern and early 1-0 lead.

Outstanding defensive play and goalkeeping from freshman Ben Huntley held the lead for the Polar Bears until the final 10 minutes when ONU scored two more goals.

Junior Trevor Baron scored his first career goal off a deflection from Farmwald in the 81st minute.

Three minutes later, freshman Chaz McCullah added another goal off an assist from sophomore Dan Otanicar.

Otanicar leads the OAC in assists with 10.

Huntley earned his first career shutout and improved to 6-0. He made four saves, while Otterbein’s David Timko had six saves.

The Polar Bears outshot the Cardinals 20-10 and held a 12-2 advantage on corner kicks.

“I want to congratulate our team defense and Ben Huntley on his first career shutout,” ONU head coach Brent Ridenour said. “It’s a great win for us with Otterbein being 3-0 in the OAC.”

Ohio Northern returns to action this Saturday at 2 p.m. for an OAC match at Muskingum.