Springfield, Ohio – Wittenberg University women’s soccer standout Mary Clare Yerke (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) has earned 2013 second-team All-Great Lakes Region honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). 

The regional recognition is a first for Yerke, a junior who was named North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Defensive Player of the Year following the 2013 season. She is now a candidate for All-America honors, to be announced later this month. 

Yerke has started two straight seasons in the center of the Tiger defense, helping Wittenberg to back-to-back NCAC regular season titles. In 2013, the Tigers allowed just 18 goals in 21 games while recording nine shutouts to rank second in the league. 

Yerke also contributed one goal and one assist to the Wittenberg offense. The Tigers posted records of 9-7-5 overall and 5-1-2 in the NCAC to finish in a three-way tie atop the standings with Allegheny and Denison. 

Wittenberg’s season ended one game short of a second straight trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament after a 2-0 loss to Allegheny in the championship match of the NCAC Tournament.

Written By: Ryan Maurer