SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Already on a two-game conference win streak, the Wittenberg field hockey team shutout North Coast Athletic Conference-leader the College of Wooster by a final margin of 2-0 Saturday afternoon. The Tigers now own a 6-2 record in the NCAC, just a half-game behind Wooster, and an 8-3 mark overall.
The win moves the Tigers and Scots into a split of the season series following Wooster's 7-2 defeat of Wittenberg earlier in the season on Saturday, Sept. 19. In the first matchup, the Fighting Scots owned a 4-1 lead by halftime, but the game played out differently in Springfield.
The Tigers ended the first half up 1-0 on Wooster, thanks to sophomore forwardElizabeth Dwyer (St. Louis, Mo./Ladue). She netted the Tigers' first goal in the 24th minute thanks to assists from junior forwards Boo Vernon (Lake Bluff, Ill./Cushing Academy) and Tori Casanta (Mason, Ohio/Cor Jesu Academy).
In the second half, sophomore forward Darcey Caciano (St. Louis, Mo./Ladue)scored, deflecting a Vernon into the goal to generate the final advantage.
The game's fate, however, was sealed by sophomore goalkeeper Jenny Schaafsma (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids), who posted nine saves, and senior defender Tori Vogelgesang (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula) and junior defender Kelly Herde (Louisville, Ky./Assumption), who each stopped a Wooster shot for two defensive saves. The trio combined for 11 saves total to shut down the NCAC's toughest offense.
In total, Wittenberg launched 13 shots on Wooster, while the Scots returned with 15. Wooster held a 12-10 penalty corner advantage, while Wittenberg's 11 saves edged out the Scots' six.
Wittenberg completes a two-game homestand with a 6 p.m. match against NCAC opponent Ohio Wesleyan on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Written by: John Strawn '07