The Bulldogs failed to score in regulation time in their preliminary round matchup with Linden Saturday at the Coldwater Cardinal Invitational. The good news was that Otsego was able to hold their opponent scoreless as well. Given the tournament format with only one preliminary match, a spot in the tournament final was on the line just 60 minutes into both squads' day. A penalty shootout was to decide who would meet Chelsea in the championship match, and each team sent 5 shooters to the half line and told their goalkeeper to be strong and make a big save. 

Diller stepped up first and saw her penalty saved by the outstretched hand of the Linden keeper. Matti Rayman walked into her goal, set herself, and with a strong right hand turned away the first Linden shooter's effort. 0-0 after round 1. Next up, defender Alexis Petty looked to put one in the goal instead of her usual job of keeping them out. She buried hers above a diving keeper. Linden followed suit and we were level at 1-1. Freshman Lexus Putt stepped to the spot and slotted her effort into the corner of the net and under the diving keeper. Linden's corresponding third shooter missed high to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead through 3 rounds. Grace VerHage was the Bulldogs' 4th shooter, and her effort hit the back of the net before the Linden keeper ever started her dive. Linden followed suit, however, to give themselves a chance at forcing sudden death. 3-2 Bulldogs through 4 rounds. If Junior winger McKenzie Milton could finish her PK then her team would be playing for the crown. She walked up and placed the ball on the stripe. Linden's goalkeeper poised herself on her line. The referee's whistle chirped, and Milton sent the keeper one way and the ball the other to put her squad through to the final.

Matti Rayman made 6 saves in the shutout, including two late-game stops that were crucial as the Otsego attack was lacking much bite in the final third. Central midfielder Lauren Nieboer plays a role that doesn't get a lot of love, but her ability to win tackles and close the center of the field down in front of her back line was on display in this one. On to the title match where it would be an all Bulldog affair against Chelsea.