Round Up: Tigers Make National Top 25 For the First Time in Ten Years

Suzanne Medwid

The Wittenberg women's soccer team has had stumbles of late, but the Tigers still have much to play for as the 2005 season winds down. With an 11-3 overall record, including a mark of 2-2 in the NCAC, the Tigers will try to rebound from a 2-1 double overtime loss against Kenyon on Tuesday when they host perennial powerhouse Allegheny on Saturday.

It's a big game for the Tigers, who broke into the national top 25 for the first time in 10 years earlier this week. Wittenberg must win at least three of its final five games to assure itself a berth in the annual NCAC Tournament next month. Last year, Wittenberg lost in the tourney final at nationally ranked Ohio Wesleyan by a 1-0 score.

The defensive-minded Tigers feature just one player in double figures for scoring on the season as sophomore forward Lisa Rusch (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne) checks in with 14 total points on team-bests of five goals and four assists. On the season, Wittenberg holds a 23-6 scoring advantage on its opponents and has recorded 10 shutouts, one short of the school record established in 1995 and equalled a year ago.

The defensive effort has been spearheaded by sophomore Lindsey Rusch (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne), freshman Suzanne Medwid (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington), sophomore Amy Meige (Westerville, Ohio/DeSales) and junior Jamie McIntyre (Columbus, Ohio/Grandview), a quartet that has started every game in front of sophomore goalkeeper Meghan O'Rourke (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne). O'Rourke has a goals against average of 0.42 and has turned away 88 percent of the shots opponents have put on the Tigers' net.

All of the details about the Tigers, are well documented in game stories found on the team's schedule/results page. Season statistics can be found by clicking here.