BEXLEY — Ohio Northern scored on seven of its first 10 possessions, then converted a key fourth down late in the game to hold on for a 49-46 victory at Capital on Saturday afternoon at Bernlohr Stadium.
The Polar Bears (5-2 overall, 4-2 Ohio Athletic Conference) rolled up 509 yards of offense and converted 9-of-14 third downs in the victory.
The Crusaders (0-7, 0-6) came into the game with the nation's 17th-best passing attack, averaging more than 309 yards per contest.
Ohio Northern fans had plenty to cheer about Saturday afternoon inside the ONU Sports Center as their No. 23-ranked women's volleyball program knocked off Ohio Athletic Conference foe Capital in straight sets of 25-15, 25-19, and 25-10 on Senior Day.
With the victory, the Polar Bears improve to 17-7 overall and to 6-1 in league play. Meanwhile, Capital drops to 0-23 overall and 0-7 within the conference.
GAMBIER — The Ohio Northern men's swimming and diving team opened its 2018-19 season with a second place finish at the 7-team Kenyon Relays on Saturday afternoon at the Steen Aquatic Center in the debut of first-year head coach Austin Veltman.
Kenyon won the team title, Ohio Northern was second, Wooster was third, and Ohio Wesleyan was fourth.
Northern was second in the 200 breast relay in 1:53.49, the 200 medley relay in 1:37.58, the 200 back relay in 1:40.50, the 200 fly relay in 1:36.88 and the 400 I.M. relay in 3:46.84.
Juniors Ryan Groehl (Marysville) and Nolan Huey (Fort Collins, Colo./Fossil Ridge) each were on two of those relays to lead the Polar Bears.
GAMBIER — The Ohio Northern women's swimming and diving team opened its 2018-19 season at the Kenyon Relays on Saturday afternoon in the debut of first-year head coach Austin Veltman. The Polar Bears tied for third place in the 7-team meet.
ONU finished second in the mixed 200 medley relay with freshman Megan Lubinski (Milford/Brighton) and senior Kierra Watson (Brownsburg, Ind.) combining with seniors Pete He (Mason) and Anthony Ferrell (Canton/Glen Oak) in 1:44.19.
BEXLEY — The Ohio Northern women's soccer team got a penalty kick from senior Sarah Puntel (Strongsville) in the 51st minute and held on for a 1-0 victory at Capital on a cold, blustery evening.
The Polar Bears (13-2-0 overall, 7-0-0 Ohio Athletic Conference) extend their win streak to 13 matches and remain in a first place tie with Otterbein atop the OAC standings.
ONU has now won 23 consecutive OAC regular season matches over the past three seasons and has clinched a first round bye and a semifinal home contest in the OAC Tournament on Nov. 1.
