Allie Keefer

GRANVILLE, Ohio — The Wittenberg women's soccer team suffered a hard-fought 3-2 loss at the feet of Denison Wednesday evening in the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament (NCAC) semifinals. The loss ends the Tigers' run at a 2010 conference tournament title despite almost fighting back from a 3-0 deficit.

After 33 minutes of scoreless soccer, Denison roared to life with two goals in just over three minutes. The two goals came on nine shots overall, two saved by Wittenberg goalkeeping sophomore Melissa Gartner (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula).

Gartner made two more saves in the second half against four Denison shots, but they tacked on the third goal 10 minutes in. The Tigers answered with a goal in the 58th minute following a corner kick when senior forward Cailyn Roeble (Columbus, Ohio/DeSales) connected on a loose ball in front of the net.

Sophomore forward/midfielder Kailey Striebel (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) scored the Tigers' second goal with a header off a cross from junior Allie Keefer (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota East) in the 73rd minute.

The Tigers attempted seven shots in the second period among 14 overall and looked to be building steam as the game progressed, but the clock prevented them from finding the third goal.

Striebel paced the offense with six shots, five on goal, while junior forward Sheryl Chambers (Victorville, Calif./St. Joan of Arc) followed with three shots. Roeble and senior Erin McLeish (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto) each registered two shots, and Keefer shot once.

The Tigers will now await word on their NCAA Division III Tournament fate from the NCAA Selection Committee, due to release the championship field on Monday, Nov. 6.

John Strawn '07