Box Score GRANVILLE, Ohio-- Denison field hockey completed the sweep, winning the North Coast Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships, following a 2-1 victory over Wittenberg in the NCAC Tournament championship. With the win, Denison extends its unbeaten streak to 15 games and will represent the NCAC in the 2017 NCAA Division III Tournament.
Just as they did in the tournament semifinal, the Big Red took a 1-0 lead in the opening five minutes of play. On Denison's first shot attempt of the day, Charlotte Godfrey centered a pass from the right post to Abby Scully who found a soft spot in the circle and buried the shot into the back of the cage. The goal was the third of the season for Scully.
In the 20th minute of play, Denison's Jen Durbin inserted a penalty corner that was well-struck by Charlotte Happel. The attempt was solid but sailed just wide of the cage.
Seven minutes later, Wittenberg's Channa Visseren fired a pass from 30 yards away through the heart of the Denison defense. Her teammate, Riley Trexler, got a piece of Visseren's pass and the ball shot into the goal, tying the match at 1-1.
Two minutes before halftime, Denison took back the lead when Durbin scored in front of the cage after corralling the rebound from Happel.
In the second half, Denison nearly took a 3-1 lead with 26 minutes to play but Tiger goalie Allie Purvis was there to provide consecutive saves on shots by Happel and Emily Marlatt.
Over the final 20 minutes, the Big Red outshot the Tigers 5-0 and out-cornered Wittenberg 5-0. That propelled Denison to the championship.
Godfrey led DU with eight shots. Happel finished with six shots and Lucy Pearsall posted three shots. Denison goalie Kerry Lawler ended with two saves while playing all 70 minutes.
For Wittenberg, Purvis finished with 11 saves and Zara Tickner posted one defensive save.
In the postgame awards ceremony, Godfrey was named the tournament MVP and Pearsall, Durbin and Michelle Kabaira were named to the All-Tournament team.
This is Denison's second NCAC Tournament title and their first since 2011. The NCAA will announce the Division III Tournament bracket at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5 at ncaa.com. Check denisonbigred.com for information on Denison's NCAA Tournament draw.
