Fresh off their 2006 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament championship and first-ever NCAA Division III Tournament berth, the Tigers, led by the most successful senior class in school history, settled for nothing less in 2007.

The headliner of the senior class is record-breaking goalkeeper Meghan O’Rourke. After posting her 42nd career shutout in a 1-0 Wittenberg win over Oberlin on Oct. 13, O’Rourke stands atop the NCAC career shutout list. Already the owner of Wittenberg’s season and career shutout records, O’Rourke broke the NCAC record.

O’Rourke is quick to point out that, “my entire team, and my back four, we’re so good defensively. While my name will be in the record book, it’s a team effort.”

The team effort has certainly been effective as the nine senior classmates have transformed Wittenberg’s program into a national title contender. The 2007 record is the team’s best yet at 18-3-3 overall and 6-0-2 in the NCAC after the team advanced to its firstever NCAA Division III Tournament Round of 16.

Earlier this season, the Tigers earned national notice when they broke into the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III poll for the third time ever on Sept. 11. The Tigers reached a school-record ninth in the Sept. 25 poll.

“What makes this group so special is they all understand the value of team and that without each other they would not have gotten nearly as far as they have together,” said Head Coach Norm Riker. “Although an amazing chapter is coming to an end, we are also turning the page to a very bright future thanks to the efforts of nine incredible seniors who started something pretty remarkable.”

– Ryan Maurer