Tiger goalkeeper Jen Meyer keeps an eye on the action in front of her.
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg University Tigers are back in
the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Tournament for the first time
since 1998. The Tigers, champions of the North Coast Athletic
Conference with a 17-3 overall record, open the tournament at 1
p.m., Friday, Nov. 15, at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., against
Williams College. Both teams have first-round byes.
Wittenberg, which is ranked No. 13 in the latest National Field
Hockey Coaches Association poll, earned the opportunity to compete
in the national competition by winning the NCAC regular season and
tournament titles. On Saturday, the Tigers clinched the berth with
a 6-2 victory over visiting Wooster in the NCAC tournament title
game. Tournament Most Valuable Player Emily Duh, a
senior forward, scored three goals in the win, giving her 26 for
the season. She now holds the school record for goals in a season
and total points (60). In addition, she ranks third nationally in
scoring.
While Duh has been the biggest offensive story for the Tigers, the
teams defensive unit, which is ranked among the top 10 in the
nation, continues to impress. As a group, the Tigers set a school
record by allowing just seven goals in 12 regular season NCAC games
in 2002, and Wittenberg has outscored its 20 foes this season by a
whopping 55-14 margin. Sophomore goalkeeper Jen
Meyer leads the NCAC in saves percentage, and her job is
made easier by a stellar veteran defense spearheaded by 2001 Great
Lakes Regional All-Americans Rebecca Russ and
Heather House. Russ was also a third-team
All-America choice in 2001, and she and Duh will be playing in a
prestigious Senior All-Star game later this month.
The Tigers will be shooting for the first NCAA tournament victory
in school history when they take on Williams, champion of New
England Small College Athletic Conference tournament last weekend
after finishing second in the regular season race. The Ephs, ranked
No. 14 in the nation with a 14-3 overall record, advanced to the
NCAA Division III quarterfinals in 2001.
Messiah is hosting the regional competition and carries a 15-3
overall record and No. 2 national ranking into this weekends
action. Messiah plays No. 18 Plymouth State, which is 17-1 overall,
on Friday as well. Fridays winners will meet on Saturday for the
right to advance to the NCAA semifinals and finals on Nov. 23 and
24.
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