Tigers Take DePauw To The Brink Before Losing NCAC Tournament Semifinal

Wittenberg stretches top-seeded DePauw to overtime on its home turf for second time in less than a month, but host Tigers escape with just 1:24 remaining before potential shootout.

Kate Burns (far right) had another goal to celebrate in a 2-1 double overtime loss at DePauw. File Photo | Nick Falzerano
Kate Burns (far right) had another goal to celebrate in a 2-1 double overtime loss at DePauw. File Photo | Nick Falzerano
November 4, 2015
Box Score

GREENCASTLE, Ind. - Over the final six weeks of the 2015 season, the Wittenberg Tigers put together a tremendous stretch run, posting a record 6-2-1 over their final nine games. Both losses were by 2-1 scores in extra time on the road against North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) regular season champion DePauw.

The latest defeat put an end to the Tigers' season as DePauw scored the game-winner with just 1:24 left on the clock in the second overtime to advance to the NCAC Tournament title game on Saturday, Nov. 7. Wittenberg, the No. 4 seed in the tournament after tying with Kenyon for third place, saw its season end with records of 10-6-2 overall and 5-2-1 in the league.

DePauw held a narrow 15-10 advantage in shots for the game, but the two teams were even in scoring opportunities after halftime with seven apiece. The host Tigers attempted two more corner kicks in the game.

The scoring opened at the 18:20 mark of the first half as senior Kate Burns (Granger, Ind./Penn) found the back of the net for the ninth time in the season, tops on the team. The visiting Tigers' lead was short-lived, however, when DePauw tied the game on an own goal against Wittenberg in the 33rd minute.

The game remained tied at 1-1 through the 109th minute. A couple of quality build-up passes out of the midfield resulted in DePauw's game-winner after Wittenberg had missed out on several good scoring opportunities of its own.

The offensive leaders, in terms of shots, were freshman Megan Davis (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Pickerington Central) and junior Michelle Brunswick (Middletown, Ohio/Madison) with three apiece. Junior Morgan Jones (Louisville, Ky./Atherton) added two attempts on frame.

In goal, senior Maggie Grieser (St. Paris, Ohio/Graham) was solid, finishing with six saves. Her record between the pipes was 5-2-0 for the Tigers in 2015.

Written By: Ryan Maurer