SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - For the second time in program history, the Wittenberg women's soccer team captured first place in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) regular season standings after a 2-0 win over visiting Kenyon.

The win was Wittenberg's 10th in the last 12 games and improved the Tigers to 11-3-3 overall. More importantly, Wittenberg capped the NCAC regular season with a 7-0-1 record to earn hosting rights in the upcoming four-team NCAC Tournament.

The postseason will open with a tournament semifinal match against visiting DePauw at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31. If the Tigers advance to Saturday's championship match, they would also have hosting rights and the game time would be 7 p.m. at Edwards-Maurer Field.

The Senior Recognition Day win over Kenyon followed a familiar script as the Tigers made a pair of first-half goals stand up thanks to another tremendous defensive performance. Wittenberg has now recorded 11 shutouts on the season and allowed a scant eight goals in 17 games.

The goalkeeping duties in this one were shared as seniors Melissa Gartner (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula) and Cassie Lythjohan (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) each played a half. Gartner's sheet was clean with three saves, while Lythjohan managed to match that with a pair of saves in the second half.

Wittenberg got all the offense it would need in the first two minutes as senior Kailey Striebel (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) headed in a goal at the 1:58 mark. Positioned in the middle of the Kenyon penalty area, Striebel lofted her header just below the crossbar after an excellent cross from senior Amy Cook (Hilliard, Ohio/Darby).

In the 33rd minute, the Tigers essentially put the game out of reach with their second goal. Junior Kayla Murphy (Dayton, Ohio/Stebbins) put the finishing touches on a well-played through ball from sophomore Tobie Weston (Worthington, Ohio/Worthington Christian).

Wittenberg outshot Kenyon 16-11 in the game and collected seven corner kick opportunities to two for the Ladies.

Before the game, the Tigers honored their eight seniors: Kelly Brothers (Dublin, Ohio/Jerome), Lauren McMahon (Loveland, Ohio/Ursuline), Leslie Oliver (Enon, Ohio/Greenon), Grace Winzeler (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman), Cook, Striebel, Gartner and Lythjohan.