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MARION, Ind. - For the sixth straight game - and the 10th time in 12 games in 2007 - the Wittenberg Tiger defense proved impenetrable. This time the victim was NAIA scholarship program Indiana Wesleyan, the 21st ranked team in the nation in its division.
By a 3-0 count Wittenberg improved to 9-2-1 overall on the 2007 season. The Wildcats, who lost 2-0 at Wittenberg a year ago, fell to 11-1 on the campaign.
Despite the absence of several starters due to injury, the Tigers played a fine game at both ends of the field. According to Head Coach Norm Riker, the defense was keyed by the stellar play of senior back Rachel Morgan (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain). He added that this was a "great team win against a quality opponent."
It was the 10th shutout of the season, already just three short of the school record set in 2005 and matched in 2006. Senior goalkeeper Meghan O'Rourke (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne) made a season-high six saves in the game, including a fine read on a late-game break-away for Indiana Wesleyan. It was her 40th career shutout, putting her one short of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) record of 41, currently held by Elizabeth Clapacs of Denison (1998-2001).
Offensively, the Tigers put a pair in the net in the opening period and then the clincher off a set piece in the second half. Sophomore forward Emily Murray (Petoskey, Mich./Petoskey) scored the game's first goal off a feed from senior midfielder Amanda Farrell (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland). That was followed by an unassisted goal from senior attacker Lisa Rusch (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne) late in the first half and a second-half score from junior midfielder Suzanne Medwid (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington).
The win wraps up an eventful nonconference portion of the 2007 schedule for the Tigers. The final seven games of the season are against NCAC rivals, starting with a road trip to Hiram on Saturday. Kick-off is scheduled for noon.