GREENCASTLE, IN – Fourth-seeded Denison claimed its fifth North Coast Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Tournament title with a 2-0 victory over third-seeded DePauw in the tournament finale on Sunday, Nov. 5, in Greencastle, Indiana.
As tournament champions, the Big Red earned the NCAC's automatic bid into the 2023 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer tournament. Denison is making its second-straight NCAA tournament appearance and 18th overall on the national stage. The entire 64-team field will be revealed on Monday, Nov. 6, at 1:30 p.m. on NCAA.com during the selection show.
Through the first 45 minutes of scoreless action, Denison would outshoot DePauw 4-2. The Big Red recorded the first four shots of the match, while DePauw put a shot on frame at the 31:54 mark and then again in the 41st minute.
After the break, the Big Red offense continued to pressure the Tiger defense with two more shots in the first five minutes of the second half. DePauw responded with two shots, one goal in the 60th minute and one left of the goal at 63:13. Two minutes later, first-year Mara McGlone (Worthington, OH/Worthington Kilbourne) would find the back of the net, giving Denison a 1-0 edge. The Big Red continued its offensive push, outshooting DePauw 6-3 through the next 15 minutes of action. Denison senior Callie Davis (Pittsburgh, PA/Shady Side Academy) tallied an insurance goal in the 89th minute to secure the 2-0 victory.
Denison outshot DePauw 15-8 in the tournament championship matchup, while also tallying four corners to the Tigers one. Senior Annalise Grammel (Canal Winchester, OH/The Columbus Academy) led the DePauw offense with three shots, two of which were on frame, while first-year Sophia Patrey (Woodridge, IL/Downers Grove North) contributed two shots. Davis led the game with four total shots, while McGlone and sophomore Kendall Sierens (Glencoe, IL/New Trier Township) recorded three shots apiece for the Big Red. Tiger first-year keeper Aubree Empie (Carmel, IN/Carmel) recorded five saves in the loss, while the Denison sophomore netminder Molly Noga (Springboro, OH/Archbishop Alter) recorded four saves for the shutout.
The NCAC All-Tournament team was also revealed at the conclusion of the tournament. Twelve members from Denison, DePauw, Ohio Wesleyan and Wittenberg made up the field. Denison's Davis was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
All-Tournament Team
Ava Bruns, Ohio Wesleyan
Halle Dacek, Ohio Wesleyan
Grace Koperna, Wittenberg
Lily Winkle, Wittenberg
Annalise Grammel, DePauw
Eva Lynch, DePauw
Leine Dawson, DePauw
Reily Brinley, Denison
Sarah Sollinger, Denison
Kate Dalimonte, Denison
Ellie Reiser, Denison
MVP - Callie Davis, Denison