Tigers Shut Out Earlham To Gain Spot In NCAC Tournament

First-half goals by Megan Loofbourrow and Beth Warning are all Tigers need as they clinch at least a share of fourth place in league standings.

Andrea Mattingly and the Tiger defense recorded their fifth shutout of the 2014 season. File Photo | Erin Pence
Andrea Mattingly and the Tiger defense recorded their fifth shutout of the 2014 season. File Photo | Erin Pence
October 25, 2014
Box Score

RICHMOND, Ind. - The Wittenberg Tigers scored two goals in the first 16 minutes and pitched a shutout from there, rolling to a 2-0 road win over Earlham.

The win evened the Tigers' record at 9-9 overall, but more importantly Wittenberg improved to 7-6 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) and secured the fourth and final position in the upcoming league tournament. Wittenberg has a one-game lead over Wooster with one game remaining, but the Tigers defeated the Scots twice during the season.

Wittenberg got all the scoring it would need just five minutes into the game as senior Megan Loofbourrow (Prospect, Ky./Ballard) found the back of the cage. At the 16:36 mark, the Tigers essentially put the game out of reach on a goal by senior Beth Warning (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) that was assisted by freshman Carlijn van den Berg (Zwolle, The Netherlands/Thorbecke).

By halftime, the shot count was dead even at 8-8. In the second half, Wittenberg held an 11-4 advantage in shots. Warning led Wittenberg with six shots in the game, while junior Paige Vanerstrom (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny), freshman Riley Trexler (Louisville, Ky./Atherton), senior Kim Loofbourrow (Prospect, Ky./Ballard) and Megan Loofbourrow all contributed two attempts on goal.

Defensively, the Tigers pitched their fifth shutout of the season. Sophomore Sarah Brownell (Ocnomowoc, Wis./University Lake School) was credited with four saves in the game.

Written By: Ryan Maurer