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SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - After a pair of scoreless matches in the span of 10 days, the Wittenberg Tigers and Allegheny Gators ultimately determined a winner in a penalty-kick shootout, with the homestanding Tigers prevailing, 4-2, and advancing to the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament title game. Sophomore Maureen Buckley (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) sealed the win with a shot into the upper right corner of the net in round four of the shootout.
Out of the gate, both teams matched the others' intensity, with both sides showing some attacking flair in the first 45 minutes. The Gators nearly struck in the first when a mid-range shot struck the crossbar. On the other side, freshman Sheryl Chambers (Victorville, Calif./St. Joan of Arc) almost found the net on a pass from Megan Utter (Grand Rapids, Mich./E. Grand Rapids) inside the eighteen.
The second half saw the home side control the majority of possession, resulting in a 5-2 shot advantage. However, Allegheny goalkeeper Emily Karr was up to the challenge numerous times to force overtime. In the extra 20 minutes, both teams battled for the breakthrough, but stellar goalkeeping from senior Jordan Bamberger (Solon, Ohio/Solon) kept the match in a deadlock and forced the deciding penalty kicks.
The important figure to begin the shootout quickly became the senior keeper, as Bamberger timed her dive perfectly to parry the first Allegheny strike. The Tigers subsequently got goals from sophomore Erin McLeish (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto), Utter and senior Corey Shubitowski (Columbus, Ohio/Watterson) to put the Tigers up 3-2 after three rounds. Another Gator misfire resulted in an opportunity to put away the game, which Buckley coolly finished, sending the Tigers into a frenzy.
With the win, coupled with a Wooster defeat of top-seeded regular season champion Denison, Wittenberg will now host the NCAC Tournament title game for a third consecutive year. The game is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Edwards-Maurer Field.
Written By: Ben Bradley, SID Assistant