SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - During a long conference season, teams have to find ways to win, even when things do not appear to be going their way. Tonight's contest against Denison was an example of finding a way to win as the homestanding Wittenberg Tigers defeated the Denison Big Red 2-1 in overtime.
The Tigers improved to 10-5 overall and, more importantly, 8-2 in the North Coast Athletic Conference as they clinched both a spot in the NCAC Tournament and at least a share of second place in the final regular season standings with the win. Denison, which lost to Wittenberg twice this season, dropped to 4-10 overall and 3-6 in the conference.
After a scoreless first half in which only three total shots were recorded, both teams got on the board in the second half. The Tigers struck first with a goal by sophomore Whitney Marshall (Barre, Mass./Quabbin Regional) as she found the lower left corner of the cage off an assist from junior Alison Voigt (Louisville, Ky./Ballard). The Tigers held their lead for most of the second half, despite Denison keeping the ball deep in Wittenberg territory. However, with only two minutes left in the game, Denison scored the equalizer, pushing the game into overtime. Lauren Keny found the back of the cage and Emily Marshall had the assist.
With overtime winding down, Katy Barrett (Powell, Ohio/Watterson) got the game-winning goal, her team-leading eighth of the season. Voigt recorded her second assist of the game on the play.
The Tigers are now 4-0 in overtime decisions this season. Wittenberg returns to action on Friday with a trip to Oberlin, a squad the Tigers defeated earlier in the year, 5-4, also in overtime.