Press Release: Tigers Capture First-Ever NCAC Regular Season Title

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — For the first time in the 22-year history of the program, the Wittenberg University women's soccer team will have a regular season North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championship trophy to show for its efforts. A 2-1 win at Kenyon yesterday clinched the title outright a year after the Tigers claimed their first NCAC Tournament title following a second-place finish in the regular season.

October 24, 2007
             Cailyn Roebel

             Wittenberg's Cailyn Roebel (15) and her teammates hope to follow the bouncing ball to another NCAA Division III Tournament berth in 2007

Springfield, Ohio — For the first time in the 22-year history of the program, the Wittenberg University women's soccer team will have a regular season North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championship trophy to show for its efforts. A 2-1 win at Kenyon yesterday clinched the title outright a year after the Tigers claimed their first NCAC Tournament title following a second-place finish in the regular season.

The Tigers, ranked 12th in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III poll and 24th in the d3kicks.com poll, improved to 15-2-1 overall and 6-0-1 in the NCAC with the win over Kenyon. Wittenberg rounds out the 2007 regular season with a road date against perennial powerhouse Ohio Wesleyan at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26.

By virtue of the regular season title, the Tigers are guaranteed home field advantage in the NCAC Tournament, which kicks off Wednesday, Oct. 31. The opponent and the game's starting time are yet to be determined.

Wittenberg is led by the most accomplished senior class in school history, a group of nine players that has led the Tigers to a 54-14-10 record over the last four years, easily the best stretch in program history. Among them, goalkeeper Meghan O'Rourke, class of 2008 from Columbus, Ohio, and defender Rachel Morgan, class of 2008 from Cincinnati, Ohio, anchor one of the stingiest defensive units in all of NCAA Division III, which has allowed scores by just four opponents all season.

Just one 2007 opponent has scored more than one goal against the Tigers, who have not lost since Sept. 12 at Transylvania. Wittenberg is 9-0-1 in the friendly confines of Edwards-Maurer Field this season, with the only non-victory coming Sept. 29 against Wooster. In that game, the Tigers outshot the visitors 17-1 but settled for a 0-0 tie.

Midfielder Suzanne Medwid, class of 2009 from Columbus, Ohio, leads a balanced Tiger offense with four goals and four assists for 12 total points. Twelve different Wittenberg players have scored at least one of the Tigers' 27 goals in the 2007 season.