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SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - For the fourth time in 2009, the Wittenberg Tigers battled a visiting opponent to a scoreless tie.
The Tigers and North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Allegheny battled 110 minutes before settling for the draw, leaving Wittenberg with records of 9-3-4 overall and 4-2-1 in the conference. The Gators are now 11-4-2 overall and 4-1-2 in the NCAC, one point ahead of the Tigers in the tightly packed NCAC standings.
Wittenberg took 15 shots, compared to five for Allegheny, which did not have an attempt in either overtime session. The Tigers' best chances both came in the second half as sophomore Sheryl Chambers (Victorville, Calif./St. Joan of Arc) headed a ball wide and had another shot saved from a tough angle. Senior Emily Murray (Petoskey, Mich./Petoskey) had the best scoring opportunity of either overtime, but her shot from the top of the box on a 2-on-1 situation was stopped.
Allegheny's goalkeeper was forced into six saves in the game, while Wittenberg freshman netminder Melissa Gartner (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula) was credited with three saves, although her defense never allowed the Gators what amounted to a clean look at the goal. The starting unit of junior Kelly Foley (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto), junior Maggie Amorello (Sutton, Mass./Worcester Academy), junior Erin McLeish (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto) and freshman Lauren McMahon (Loveland, Ohio/Ursuline) was outstanding, and the group never missed a beat when McMahon left the game with an injury. She was replaced along the back line by sophomore Kristi Burkitt (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson).
Wittenberg rounds out NCAC play against Denison on Wednesday, Oct. 28.