GRANVILLE, Ohio (Nov. 6) – Sophomore defender
Tabitha Chandler scored in overtime to lift the second-seeded Denison University field hockey team to a 1-0 overtime victory over third-seeded Wittenberg University in the North Coast Athletic Conference semifinals on Wednesday evening at Deeds Field – Piper Stadium.
The win was the seventh-straight for Denison, who improves to 11-6 overall. The shutout is the seventh overall and third-straight for the Big Red in 2024. Wittenberg finishes its season at 11-3 overall.
Less than two weeks ago, Denison also got the better of Wittenberg in overtime. The Big Red secured a 3-2 victory in Springfield during the two teams regular season meeting.
Chandler's strike came just after Denison was awarded a penalty corner opportunity a little more than two minutes into the overtime session. Chandler, one of the top defensive players in the conference, came through on the offensive end to put Denison back into the finals.
Both teams struggled offensively in the opening quarter of play. Denison recorded the lone shot of the first 15 minutes of action. Action picked up for both teams in the second quarter. Wittenberg put three shots on goal and two penalty corners. Denison recorded two shots and three penalty corners during the second quarter. Junior
Nina Casingal put the first shot on goal for the Big Red during the frame.
Denison recorded all six shots and all six penalty corners during the third quarter.
Katherine Flanagan, the 2023 NCAC Tournament MVP, sparked the Big Red with some strong play off the bench in Wednesday's semifinal. The junior finished with four shots, including two on goal during the third.
Both teams had chances in the fourth but came away empty handed. Flanagan and first-year
Maddie Gaines had shots on goal that were saved during the final minutes of regulation.
Wittenberg had the initial opportunities in overtime. The Tigers got a pair of shots from their leading scorer, Devyn Groves, one of which was saved by Denison senior goalkeeper
Athena Joannou.
The Big Red were able to counter a minute later. Flanagan drew the penalty corner chance, which set up the Big Red for the game-winning score. The goal was the second of the season for Chandler. The strike came just 2:22 into overtime.
Denison out-shot Wittenberg by a 13-7 margin. The Big Red had a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal. Denison outpaced the Tigers by an 11-5 margin in corners.
Joannou made four saves in 62-plus minutes to pick up the victory. Gaines and Flanagan matched the team high with four shots apiece.
Up Next: Denison moves on to face Ohio Wesleyan in the 2024 NCAC Tournament Championship match on Saturday, Nov. 9. The match will take place at 12 p.m. at OWU's Selby Stadium. The top-seeded Battling Bishops downed fourth-seeded DePauw by a 4-0 score in the other semifinal matchup on Wednesday evening. This marks the third time in the past four years that OWU and Denison will square off in the NCAC Championship match. The two teams shared the NCAC regular season title but OWU downed Denison by a 1-0 score back on Oct. 1.
