Tigers Fall To Top-Seeded Cortland State In NCAA Tournament

Jen Meyer

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg University Tigers put a 10-game win streak on the line Saturday at Cortland State University, but one of the best feel-good turnaround stories of the fall season didn't have a happy ending as the Tigers bowed out of the NCAA Division III Tournament in the second round with a 6-0 loss against the host Red Dragons.

The Tigers fell behind less than five minutes into the game on a Cortland goal by Kelly Johnson, the first of three for the freshman. Cortland, the sixth-ranked team in the nation, also picked up goals from Alana LaMorte, Ashley Ostrander and Kate Campbell en route to the win, scoring three times in each half.

Despite the final score, some of the statistics were very even in the game and even favored the Tigers, who were trying to win their first NCAA Tournament game in six trips to the big dance. Cortland held a 26-15 advantage in shots, but Wittenberg led 13-9 in penalty corners, including 10-7 in the second half. Tiger goalkeeper Jen Meyer made several terrific saves among the nine she was credited with overall. The six goals is the most Meyer, a third-team All-America a year ago, has allowed in her collegiate career.

Leading the Tiger offense was senior Katie Babcock, who recorded five shots in her final collegiate field hockey contest. Carrie Happ took three shots and three players, Julie Wickham, Katy Barrett and Sarah Wallace posted totals of two each. Babcock scored the game-winner last week in overtime against Wooster in the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament championship.

Wittenberg concluded its season with a 13-7 record, while Cortland State advanced to 15-2 and advanced to the national quarterfinals to face Williams College Sunday.