Tigers Upend Nationally Ranked Denison To Keep Pace In NCAC

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - There is no women's soccer team in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) hotter right now than the Wittenberg Tigers, who won for the fourth time in the last five games with a 2-1 decision against 17th-ranked Denison.

Wittenberg improved to 9-5-2 overall and 4-2-1 in the league with the victory, which was earned while playing in heavy rain and cold winds introduced to the area by the remnants of Hurricane Patricia. Denison dropped to 13-3-0 overall and 5-2-0 in the NCAC.

While Wittenberg has managed to recover from an 0-1-1 start to the NCAC schedule, the Tigers aren't out of the woods yet. Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, DePauw leads the league with 18 points, followed by Denison with 15. Wittenberg and Kenyon are tied at 13 apiece, and Wooster is just one point out of the fourth and final NCAC Tournament spot.

The Fighting Scots provide the opposition at Edwards-Maurer Field for Wittenberg's Senior Recognition Day festivities. First kick is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

With the ball skipping and sliding all over the pitch, possession was at a premium and most of the game was played in the midfield. Denison held a 13-8 advantage in shots, while Wittenberg was awarded two of just three corner kick opportunities in the game. Senior goalkeeper Maggie Grieser (St. Paris, Ohio/Graham) was stellar in net with five saves as she improved to 4-1-0 in her starting assignments.

The scoring for Wittenberg came in the 31st minute and the 49th minute. Junior Michelle Brunswick (Middletown, Ohio/Madison) put the Tigers on the board in the first half off an assist from sophomore Julia Smith (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington). Freshman Megan Davis (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Pickerington Central) contributed what turned out to be the game-winning goal just 3:20 into the second half. Eight different players were credited with one shot each in the game for Wittenberg.

Written By: Ryan Maurer