Defense Mounts Shutout In Tigers' Opener

Maureen Buckley

CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Wittenberg women's soccer team kept Mount St. Joseph off the boards in the 2009 season opener, starting the season on the right foot with a 1-0-0 record out of the gate.

The perenially stout Tiger defense held Mount St. Joseph to just five shots throughout the match, while the offense let loose with 18 of their own, the team's most since shooting the ball 18 times versus Earlham last season on Oct. 22. JuniorMaureen Buckley (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington)provided the Tigers' lone goal on a penalty kick in the 73rd minute, and it proved to be the difference.

Wittenberg freshman Melissa Gartner (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula) was forced into just one save thanks to the defense, while the Tigers kept Mount St. Joseph netminder busy, as she knocked down 10 shots on goal.

Freshman Kailey Striebel (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) led the offense with five shots, while sophomores Sheryl Chambers (Victorville, Calif./St. Joan of Arc)and Taylor Goss (Sandy Spring, Md./Friends School) each chipped in three shots.

The Tigers return for their first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 6, hosting Albion in a 6 p.m. match.

Written By: John Strawn, Sports Information Assistant