Tigers Lose in First NCAC Tournament The Program Has Seen

The 2000 edition of the Wittenberg University women's soccer team featured a roster of 15 freshman among 20 players. The team was raw, but it also showed flashes of the brilliance that may be to come as it posted the program's first winning record since 1995.

This precocious group of young Tigers also earned the program's first postseason tournament bid, rallying from a 1-4 NCAC record and four straight road losses to finish 4-4 and in a three-way tie for fourth place. Wittenberg was awarded the fourth seed in the first-ever NCAC tournament by virtue of tiebreaker criteria, and ventured to Meadville, Pa. with dreams of upsetting the top-seeded and nationally Allegheny College Gators last Wednesday.

The hallmark of Wittenberg's run to double-digit victories this season was offense, but in this game the Tigers managed few legimate shots at the Allegheny goal. The Gators, meanwhile, chalked up one score in the first four minutes of the game and another in the final four minutes to move into the championship round opposite Ohio Wesleyan University.

For the Tigers, the loss was disappointing but also potentially a springboard for next season. Just two starters, seniors Shana Ryan (London, Ohio/London) and Natalie Estep (Fairborn, Ohio/Fairborn), are not expected to return. Among those who will be back in the fold will be the NCAC's leading scorer, freshman Geri Woessner (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood), who tied a school record with 18 goals, along with freshman goaltender Jenny Miller (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mother of Mercy), who posted three shutouts this season.