Tiger Women’s Soccer Falls to DePauw in NCAC Championship Game

GREENCASTLE, IN - On a cool fall afternoon tailormade for soccer, Wittenberg Women's Soccer saw its 2024 season come to a close with a 2-1 loss to host DePauw in the North Coast Atlantic Conference (NCAC) Tournament championship game. The title game appearance was Witt's second in a four-season span, as the Tigers last won the tournament crown in 2021. The loss ended Wittenberg's season with a 6-5-5 overall record, while DePauw improves to 12-5-3 overall and moves on to the first round of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament, starting next week.

After an evenly played opening to the contest, DePauw was able to find the back of the net just before the 20-minute mark to take the early lead. With just four minutes until the break, the Wittenberg defense attempted to stop a DePauw shot, but the effort was unsuccessful and the host Tigers took the 2-0 lead into the half.

Wittenberg bounced back in the second half. Just 2:07 after the intermission, Grace Koperna (Macedonia, OH/Nordonia) got Wittenberg on the board to make the score 2-1. Her goal came off an assist from Brooke Mullis (Lawrenceburg, IN/Taylor).

Despite holding a commanding 13-5 edge in shots for the game, Wittenberg was unable to come up with an equalizer the rest of the way. Eight of Wittenberg's shots were directed on frame, but DePauw goalkeeper Aubree Empie was equal to the task, recording seven saves in the game. She was named Tournament MVP in recognition of her outstanding performance.

Rachel Spencer (Columbus, OH/Bishop Watterson) led both teams with three shots in the game. Koperna, Courtney Lindgren (Maineville, OH/Kings), Alex Hill (Powell, OH/Olentangy Liberty), and Sarah Deaton (Monroe, OH/Monroe) all finished with two shots each. At the other end of the field, goalkeeper Lily Winkle (Cynthiana, KY/Harrison County) was credited with one save.

Three Tigers were named to the all-NCAC tournament team Chamberlain Browning (Troy, OH/Troy), who scored both goals in the Tigers' 2-1 win in the NCAC Tournament semifinals over top-seeded Denison, Grace Koperna (Macedonia, OH/Nordonia), and Caroline Stupp (Waynesville, OH/Waynesville).

The program graduates seven seniors, Browning, Koperna, Mullis, Sophia Grossman (Kettering, OH/Fairmont), Hannah Heald (Westerville, OH/Olentangy Orange), Mackenzie Hessick (Hilliard, OH/Darby), and Abby Sphar (Lebanon, OH/Lebanon). In addition, junior Carly Shiplett (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) has chosen to graduate a year early.