MEADVILLE, Pa. – It took nearly the full 90 minutes, but the Wittenberg Tigers finally solved the Allegheny Gator defense, pulling out a dramatic 1-0 victory in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) opener for both teams.
Senior Kelly Brothers (Dublin, Ohio/Jerome) scored on a header with just 52 seconds left on the clock, off a corner kick by sophomore Chelsey Marcum (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville). The scoring opportunity was created by an outstanding through-ball from junior Katie Murphey (Toledo, Ohio/Sylvania Southview) to senior Kailey Striebel (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont), which forced a retreating Allegheny defense to clear the ball over the end line.
Brothers' attempt on goal was Wittenberg's 11th shot in the game, compared to 10 for Allegheny. Both goalkeepers had been up to the task until that point, with the Gators' Kylie Mason credited with three saves. At the other, Wittenberg senior Cassie Lythjohan (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) was outstanding throughout, stopping all five shots that Allegheny directed on frame.
The Tigers next step back out of conference play for a mid-week match-up at Ohio Northern on Wednesday, Sept. 26. First kick is scheduled for 4 p.m., followed by a road trip on Saturday, Sept. 29, at NCAC rival Oberlin.