Photo by Mark Riedinger, Scioto Photo Sydney Bates assisted on Wittenberg's first goal

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - For the first time in school history the Wittenberg women's soccer team not only hosted an NCAA Division III Tournament game, the Tigers emerged victorious, beating Ohio Athletic Conference regular season champion Otterbein, 2-1.

The Tigers, who remained perfect at home this season, started off strong as junior Sydney Bates (Loveland, Ohio/Milford) had a shot from close range in the first minute of the game, which was saved by Otterbein goalkeeper Annelise Erpenbeck. From that point through the end of the first half, both teams played staunch defense as the offenses combined for just five shots, leading to a 0-0 halftime tie.

In the first minute of the second half, freshman Kyra Macke (Fort Thomas, Ky./Newport Central Catholic) came up big for the Tigers as she scored off an assist from Bates. In the 72nd minute, Otterbein tied things off a free kick; the shot by Otterbein's Kate Weale ricocheted off a Wittenberg player, and then skidded in the wet turf before finding the lower left corner of the goal.

Nine minutes later Wittenberg junior Amy Meige (Columbus, Ohio/DeSales) corralled a nice through ball and took a shot on goal that deflected off the right post. Sophomore Allison Macke (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto) was in the right place at the right time, taking the rebound turning it into a score to put the Tigers up 2-1.

Otterbein had multiple chances to score in the final minutes, including a free kick with approximately 42 seconds left. But Wittenberg packed its own penalty box and found a way to clear the ball in the closing seconds to seal the win and advance to Sunday's second-round game.

The Tigers, who improved to 15-3-3 overall on the season, will face North Coast Athletic Conference rival Denison, which lost to the Tigers 1-0 on Nov. 4, also at Wittenberg's Edwards-Maurer Field. Denison advanced with a win over Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference champion Transylvania 2-0 in the first game of the evening. Denison defeated Wittenberg 2-0 in Granville during the regular season.

Action begins at 6 p.m. Sunday at Wittenberg's Edwards-Maurer Field. Denison brings a 15-4-1 overall record into the game.