Last Minute Heroics Decide Double Overtime Affair With Wooster

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - After 109 minutes and 32 seconds of scoreless soccer, the only thing that mattered was the 28 seconds that the Wittenberg women's soccer team did not play. With the game in danger of becoming the fourth double overtime scoreless tie of the season, the Tigers watched anxiously as a slow-rolling ball inched towards, and finally, into the College of Wooster's net.

Sophomore forward Sheryl Chambers (Victorville, Calif./St. Joan of Arc) imparted the momentum to the ball, which dangled desparately out of reach of Wooster's last defenders and the goalie, drawn out on the attack, trying to intercept an assisting pass from junior midfielder Erin McLeish (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto). The goal broke the scoreless deadlock and handed the Tigers a victory, bringing their record on the season to 7-1-3 overall and 2-0-0 in North Coast Athletic Conference action.

The win also provided freshman goalkeeper Melissa Gartner (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula) with her seventh shutout of the season and the team's 10th. Gartner stopped two Wooster shots in the game.

Chambers' goal was her fourth of 2009, and represented one of the Tigers' 20 total shots, including nine on goal. Wittenberg launched 12 shots in the second period alone, while the defense held Wooster to eight shots overall.

The Tigers take their unblemished NCAC record on the road to Hiram following a one week layoff when they travel to Hiram for a 1 p.m. tilt on Saturday, Oct. 10.

Written by: John Strawn '07