Women's Soccer

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The team goals for the 2005 Wittenberg Women's Soccer season are posted boldly in the locker room. Under the heading of results reads "Win Every Reserve Game."

With only four minutes left, the Tigers were trailing a very good Cincinnati State team by a 2-1 score, and their team goal appeared to be in jeopardy. At that moment Katie Miller's pass split two defenders and sent Stephanie Sharp in on a breakaway. Stef was razor sharp as she calmly placed the ball into the side netting to tie the game at 2-2.

It was the second time in the match that the Tigers had clawed back from a goal down. It was Katie McIlvain who individually dribbled through three defenders to knot the game at 1-1 just before halftime, and now it was Sharp who kept the team's hopes of winning every reserve game within reach.  Playing with a bit of emotion - as just minutes before the equalizer midfield minstrel Allison Macke had to leave the game with shoulder injury - the Tigers were not to be denied. It was not a minute after the second goal that Wittenberg had a chance to win the game as Miller was brought down in the box. Taking the penalty kick honors was first-year midfielder Lauren Johnson, and with authority she drilled the ball in the right corner of the goal for the 3-2 lead.

Jordan Bamberger, Jamie Mack, Maureen Walsh, Ashley Reefer and Kristy Parker made the goal stand up with some excellent work on defense. And with the midfield help of Justine Girard and Tara Osborne, the Wittenberg reserves sealed the exciting come-from-behind win and preserved a very important team goal for the 2005 season.

"It was a great team effort, a well played game, and an exciting finish" said Coach Riker. "Our reserve team is a vital and important part of our program. It is here, in this game, that our younger players develop our team's winning attitude, learn firsthand how our system works, and as players solve our team's problems.

"They showed incredible heart and found a way to win and that is what defines our program - we find a way to win games. This is great momentum for us as we head into our first conference game vs Denison."

2005 Women's Soccer Schedule/Results