Tiger Women's Soccer Falls On Two Late Denison Goals

SPRINGFIELD, OH - Wittenberg Women's Soccer had the upper hand in a defensive struggle with arch-rival Denison until the closing moments. And then, on a night with almost perfect October weather, lightning struck twice. The Big scored on a pair of headers in the span of just six minutes to snatch a 2-1 victory.

The game was a re-match of last year's North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament semifinals, a game won 1-0 by the fourth-seeded Big Red over the first-seeded Tigers on the same Edwards-Maurer Field. The loss dropped to the Tigers to 2-4-3 on the season and 0-1 in the NCAC, while Denison improved to 6-3-2 overall and 1-0 in the league.

The Big Red and Tigers split seven shots almost evenly in a first half that lacked any serious threats for either team. But in the second half, the Tigers broke the ice on a free kick as Brooke Mullis (Lawrenceburg, IN / Taylor) launched a ball into the goal mouth that struck the underside of the crossbar and hit off the Denison goalkeeper's back. Caroline Stupp (Waynesville, OH / Waynesville) was right there to put home the rebound and give Wittenberg the lead at the 56:43 mark.

Denison finally answered in the 84th minute on a set piece of its own as Avery Butler scored a forceful header from close range off a feed from Caroline Flynn. And then with just 30 seconds left on the clock, the Big Red did it again, this time getting the free kick from Reily Brinley that resulted in more of a glancing header by Mara McGlone.

For the game, Denison held an 11-7 advantage in shots, while Wittenberg were awarded the only three corner kick opportunities in the entire game. Wynne Hague was forced into six saves for Denison, while Lily Winkle (Cynthiana, KY / Harrison County) came up with eight stops in goal for the Tigers.

Ava Otey (Columbus, OH / Olentangy Orange) led Wittenberg with two shots in the game. Stupp, Sarah Deaton (Monroe, OH / Monroe), Caroline Thomas (Perrysburg, OH / Perrysburg), Grace Koperna (Macedonia, OH / Nordonia), and Emma Rhodis (Hamilton, OH / Badin) each added one attempt on goal.