League-Leading DePauw Captures Win With Overtime Goal

Rachel Billman and the Tigers forced league-leading DePauw to overtime before suffering a 2-1 setback. File Photo | Nick Falzerano
Rachel Billman and the Tigers forced league-leading DePauw to overtime before suffering a 2-1 setback. File Photo | Nick Falzerano

GREENCASTLE, Ind. - The Wittenberg Tigers pushed league-leading DePauw to overtime on the Tigers' home turf before dropping a 2-1 decision on a golden goal just 3:07 into the first extra session.

The visiting Tigers fell to 7-5-2 overall in 2015. More importantly, Wittenberg missed out on a chance to move into the top four in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) standings, dropping to fifth place with seven points at 2-2-1. DePauw leads the league with a perfect 6-0-0 record, good for 18 points, followed by Denison and Kenyon with 12 points apiece, and Wooster with nine.

All nine league teams have at least three NCAC games remaining. Wittenberg hits the road again on Saturday, Oct. 24, for a key contest against Hiram, followed by home dates next week against Denison and Wooster.

Wittenberg and DePauw played more than 80 scoreless minutes before the visiting Tigers broke through on an unassisted goal by freshman Megan Davis (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Pickerington Central). The lead was short-lived, however, as DePauw evened the score in the 86th minute on an unassisted goal of its own.

That set the stage for a brief overtime session, as Kelsey Cobbs netted the game-winner for DePauw in the 94th minute.

The host Tigers held a narrow 14-11 advantage in shots in the game, in addition to a 6-5 edge in corner kick opportunities. In goal, Wittenberg picked up five saves from senior Maggie Grieser (St. Paris, Ohio/Graham).

Davis led the way offensively for WIttenberg with four shots, including three on frame. Seven other players finished with one shot apiece, including senior Kate Burns (Granger, Ind./Penn), sophomore Leah Soutar (Avon, Ind./Cardinal Ritter) and senior Zoe Curry (Cincinnati, Ohio/Ursuline), all of whom forced DePauw saves.

Written By: Ryan Maurer