Midfielder Lindsey Rusch '08

Springfield, Ohio — The Wittenberg University women's soccer team is off to a fast start to the 2007 season with a 4-1-0 record, and voters in the weekly National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III poll have taken notice. The Tigers broke into the Sept. 11 poll at No. 18, the highest ranking in program history.

This marks the fourth time in school history that the Tigers have merited placement in the NSCAA poll. A year ago, Wittenberg didn't break into the national rankings until late in the season, and they eventually settled in at No. 22 after getting knocked out of the NCAA Division III Tournament by North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Denison in the second round on penalty kicks.

A year after the Tigers' first-ever NCAC Tournament championship and national tournament appearance, Wittenberg has already defeated two nationally ranked opponents in then-24th ranked Ithaca on Sept. 2 at the Gettysburg College Players Cup and in the 2007 home opener against then-16th ranked DePauw on Sept. 7.

The Tigers have recorded four straight shutouts since opening the season with a deceiving 3-1 loss to perennial powerhouse William Smith on Sept. 1, also at the Gettysburg College Players Cup. Goalkeeper Meghan O'Rourke, class of 2008 from Columbus, Ohio, continues to add to her school-record career shutout mark, while a balanced offense has featured eight goal-scorers already this season.

The NCAC is well-represented in the latest national rankings as Kenyon checks in at No. 23 and Denison stands ninthl. The Tigers are scheduled to host Denison at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, and will travel to Kenyon for a 3:30 p.m. game on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Those are two of six 2006 NCAA Division III Tournament teams on the Tigers' challenging 2007 schedule.

Written By: John Strawn

047-07