Tigers Stay On Top Of NCAC With 2-0 Win Over Ohio Wesleyan

Kailey Striebel (12) and Katie Murphey (11) celebrate Striebel's goal in the 90th minute of a 2-0 win over Ohio Wesleyan. Photo by Erin Pence
Kailey Striebel (12) and Katie Murphey (11) celebrate Striebel's goal in the 90th minute of a 2-0 win over Ohio Wesleyan. Photo by Erin Pence
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SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg women's soccer team remained unbeaten both at home and in the North Coast Athletic Conference with a 2-0 win over visiting Ohio Wesleyan.

The shutout was Wittenberg's fourth in the last five games and the Tigers' seventh on the 2012 season overall. It kept Wittenberg at the top of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) table with a perfect 4-0-0 record to go along with an 8-3-2 mark overall.

While the team statistics overwhelmingly favored Wittenberg, the game was in doubt until the closing minutes. In the first half, Wittenberg held a narrow edge in shot attempts at 7-4, but Ohio Wesleyan had the best opportunity midway through the 45 minutes. Senior goalkeeper Cassie Lythjohan (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) came up big, however, deflecting a shot from the top of the penalty area ticketed for the top of the Wittenberg net to keep the game scoreless.

The second half was dominating by Wittenberg, and the Tigers finally broke through in the 57th minute as junior Kayla Murphy (Dayton, Ohio/Stebbins) volleyed in a corner kick by sophomore Tobie Weston (Worthington, Ohio/Worthington Christian). Wittenberg put the game away with their 22nd and final shot of the second half as senior Kailey Striebel (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) collected her own rebound and touched it past the Battling Bishops' goalkeeper.

Ohio Wesleyan, which fell to 4-9-1 overall and 1-3 in the NCAC after sharing the conference regular season title a year ago, was limited to just one shot in the second half. For the game, Wittenberg also held a commanding 12-2 advantage in corner kick opportunities.

The Tigers return to action Wednesday with a road trip to Denison. First place will be on the line as the Big Red, the 2011 NCAC Tournament titlists, are the only other