First Half Goals Send Allegheny Past Tigers In NCAC Title Game

NCAA Division III Tournament hopes dashed as Gators outshoot Tigers 17-2 to earn league's automatic berth.

Teamwork was the key for Wittenberg in a tremendous 2013 women's soccer season. Photo by Russell Kramer, NCAC
Teamwork was the key for Wittenberg in a tremendous 2013 women's soccer season. Photo by Russell Kramer, NCAC
November 9, 2013
Box Score

MEADVILLE, Pa. - A dream run ended just short of the NCAA Division III Tournament as the Wittenberg women's soccer team lost 2-0 to Allegheny in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament championship match.

With the win, Gators will advance to play in the national tournament, carrying an 11-5-4 overall record after tying with Wittenberg and Denison for the top spot in the NCAC regular season standings at 5-1-2. Wittenberg, which was bidding for its sixth NCAA Division III Tournament appearance since 2006, saw its first season under Head Coach Matt Fannon end with a record of 9-7-5.

A week earlier, the Tigers and Gators battled to a 1-1 draw in Springfield, but the re-match was controlled throughout by Allegheny. The Gators held a 17-2 advantage in shots and attempted 10 corner kicks to two for Wittenberg.

It didn't take long for Allegheny to get onto the scoreboard, scoring goals in the eighth and 27th minutes to taking a commanding lead into the intermission. Following a scoreless second half, the Gators were awarded the tournament trophy and the league's authomatic bid to the national competition.

Goalkeepers Kelsey Lorko (Fairview Park, Ohio/Fairview) and Maggie Grieser (St. Paris, Ohio/Graham) split the 90 evenly in the goal, recording three saves between them. At the other end, seniors Lindsay Janmey (Hinckley, Ohio/Highland) and Erin Rowell (Evanston Twp., Ill./Evanston) were the only Tigers credited with a shot in the game.