Tigers Claim Third Straight NCAC Tournament Title With Double Overtime Win

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — After controlling the majority of action in the second half and the two overtimes, it would be a bizarre own goal that sent the Wittenberg Tigers to a 1-0 double overtime victory over the College of Wooster Scots in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament championship game.

November 8, 2008
             senior girls

        Wittenberg's seniors hoisted the third NCAC Tournament championship trophy of their collegiate career.

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - After controlling the majority of action in the second half and the two overtimes, it would be a bizarre own goal that sent the Wittenberg Tigers to a 1-0 double overtime victory over the College of Wooster Scots in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament championship game.

The home side outshot Wooster 9-4 on the afternoon, including an 8-1 margin over the final 65 minutes of play. The game-winning sequence began with sophomore defender Kelly Foley (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto) playing a ball into the Wooster penalty box from about 30 yards out. The ball redirected off a Wooster defender, then off the goalkeeper before finding the back of the net for the game-winner.

The game might have never even needed extra time had either of the teams capitalized on a couple of early opportunities. However, excellent goalkeeping by Wittenberg senior Jordan Bamberger (Solon, Ohio/Solon) and Wooster's Sara Flannelly kept the game in the deadlock. The latter was saved by her crossbar in the first overtime when Tiger senior defender Jamie Mack (Rochester, NY/Penfield) had a header glance off it.

The Tigers also controlled corner kick opportunities, leading the Scots 9-2. With the win, the Tigers move to 11-3-6 on the season and advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the third consecutive year. The tournament draw for that NCAA tournament will be announced Monday, Nov. 8.

Written By: Ben Bradley, SID Assistant
Photo By: Brian Schubert '09