Two first half goals proved to be enough as DePauw University held off Denison University for a 2-1 victory in the semifinals of the 2015 North Coast Athletic Conference Field Hockey Tournament. 

The Tigers struck first, with seven minutes to play in the first half when leading scorer Paige Berliner scored off a penalty corner.  After a corner insert by Rose Revolinski, Berliner took the pass and scored her 19th goal of the season.

The biggest blow would come just 23 seconds before the conclusion of the first half.  This time it was Berliner who fed the team's second-leading scorer, Reilly Bruce, a pass in front of the cage.  Bruce converted the goal, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead.

In the second half, Denison started out strong, forcing four penalty corners in the first seven minutes of the period.  They would break through in the 46th minute when Britta Marden scored, cutting the deficit in half.

Over the next 20 minutes of play, DePauw would have two shots on goal turned away by Big Red netminder Ellen Westfall.  With 8:30 to play, the Big Red had back-to-back penalty corners.  On the final corner, Allie Bacon's shot attempt went wide.  DU's final shot of the game would come from Lucy Pearsall in the 67th minute.  It would also sail just wide of the cage.

The Big Red held an 11-10 edge in shots.  They also won the penalty corner battle, 10-4.  Westfall finished with four saves for Denison while Sarah Guendert ended with three stops for DePauw. 

With the win, DePauw advances to the NCAC Tournament Championship on Saturday.  They will face top-seeded Kenyon, who defeated fourth-seeded Wittenberg, 1-0 this afternoon.

Denison's season comes to a close with a 12-8 record.