Tigers Pull Out Double OT Win At Ohio Wesleyan

Megan Utter

DELAWARE, Ohio — The Wittenberg Tigers made it four wins a row with a clutch 2-1 double overtime road win over North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Ohio Wesleyan.

The win moved the Tigers to 8-5-1 overall and into a tie with the Battling Bishops in the NCAC standings at 3-1-0. Ohio Wesleyan dropped to 8-4-2 overall.

Just as the two teams' overall and conference records are similar, the two teams played an extremely even game. The final shot count was 21-19 in favor of Ohio Wesleyan, and the Battling Bishops were awarded five corner kicks to four for Wittenberg.

After a scoreless first half, freshman Cassie Howell (Batavia, Ohio/Glen Este) got the Tigers on the board off an assist by senior Sheryl Chambers (Victorville, Calif./St. Joan of Arc) in the 73rd minute. However, the Bishops bounced back to tie the game less than nine minutes later on a penalty kick, the only blemish on junior goalkeeper Melissa Gartner's (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula) sheet for the night. She was credited with nine saves.

After the two teams combined for just one scoring opportunity in the first 10-minute overtime period, Wittenberg came up with the game-winner at the 104:07 mark. Senior Megan Utter (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) collected a pass from junior Kailey Striebel (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) in the penalty area and found the back of the net.

Four games remain in the 2011 regular season, a two-week gauntlet that starts with a home game against preseason favorite and defending NCAC Tournament champion Denison at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19. Follow all the action online, as the Tiger Sports Network will be offering live audio, video and statistics.