Emily Duh

Jen Meyer

The 14th-ranked Tiger field hockey team continued its early-season domination, breaking out to a 6-0 start for a third consecutive year under Head Coach Marianne Beshara. The Tigers, who have never had a losing record at any time in Beshara's three seasons at the helm, have the most wins of any team in the nation.

Against Denison last Tuesday, the Tigers simply took the action to one of the preseason North Coast Athletic Conference favorites. Senior forward Emily Duh (Hellertown, Pa./Saucon Valley) had a hat trick, three times driving down the right side of the field and striking a hard shot into the Big Red goal. Junior Katie Babcock (Phoenix, Md./Dulaney) and sophomore Deb Muller (Weston, Conn./The Morgan School) combined for the other goal as the Tigers took an early advantage in the race for the NCAC title.

Against visiting DePauw on Saturday, the teams went into halftime with the score tied at 1-1 after a first period goal by Duh. But Wittenberg blew the game open in the second half with Duh's second of the game and eighth of the still-young season. Babcock and Muller also added goals to the offensive effort.

For her exploits last week, Emily Duh was named NCAC Player of the Week. It was the second time she has received such an honor.

Duh leads the NCAC in scoring at 3.33 points per game, goals with eight and assists with four. Just as important for the Tigers, however, has been the outstanding play of a defensive unit that has allowed just three goals all season and only one score in four games against NCAA Division III opponents. Sophomore goaltender Jen Meyer (Solon, Ohio/Hathaway Brown) tops the conference with a save percentage of .917 and four shutouts. She is protected by a veteran defense that includes seniors Heather House (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood), Jill Hobelman (St. Louis, Mo./Villa Duchesne) and Rebecca Russ (Louisville, Ky./Sacred Heart).