GREENCASTLE, IN – Second-seeded DePauw claimed its third North Coast Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Tournament title with a 2-1 victory over fourth-seeded Wittenberg in the tournament finale on Saturday, Nov. 9, in Greencastle, Indiana.
As tournament champions, the Indiana Tigers earned the NCAC's automatic bid into the 2024 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer tournament. DePauw will be making its first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2015 and ninth overall on the national stage. The entire 64-team field will be revealed on Monday, Nov. 11, at 2:00 p.m. on NCAA.com during the selection show.
#2 DEPAUW (12-5-3) 2, #4 WITTENBERG (6-6-5) 1
- Both teams came out strong as they each put a shot on frame just three minutes into the game. Wittenberg would put a second shot on the mark at 15:30, but DePauw would be the first to score.
- At 18:24, DePauw sophomore Sophia Patrey (Woodridge, IL/Downers Grove North) fed classmate Eva Lynch (Burlington, WI/Catholic Central) the ball for a high right shot into the back of the net to give the Indiana Tigers an early 1-0 lead.
- After two more DePauw shots and one from Wittenberg, DePauw first-year Caroline Tally (Simpsonville, SC/St. Joseph's Catholic School) connected on a high right shot that snuck past the Wittenberg defense for a two-goal lead.
- After the break, the Wittenberg offense came out hot, finding the back of the net just 2:07 into the half. Senior Grace Koperna (Macedonia, OH/Nordonia) connected on a low-left goal that was assisted by classmate Brooke Mullis (Lawrenceburg, IN/Taylor) to put Wittenberg on the board and cut the deficit to one.
- The Ohio Tigers offense continued to pressure the DePauw defense, as they fired off seven more shots throughout the final 42 minutes but were unable to find the equalizer.
- Despite the loss, Wittenberg outshot DePauw 13-5 in the tournament championship matchup, while also tallying five corners to DePauw’s three.
- Wittenberg sophomore Rachel Spencer (Columbus, OH/Bishop Watterson) recorded a game-high three shots.
- DePauw sophomore Aubree Empie (Carmel, IN/Carmel) recorded seven saves in the win, while Wittenberg sophomore keeper Lily Winkle (Cynthiana, KY/Harrison County) made one save in the loss.
- The NCAC All-Tournament team announced at the conclusion of the tournament. Twelve members from Denison, DePauw, Wittenberg and Wooster made up the squad. For her efforts, Empie was named the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
2024 NCAC Women’s Soccer All-Tournament Team
Maggie Stieby, Wooster
Mia Stoller, Wooster
Sophia Connell, Denison
Caroline Flynn, Denison
Chamberlain Browning, Wittenberg
Caroline Stupp, Wittenberg
Grace Koperna, Wittenberg
Macy Happe, DePauw
Ellie Mahan, DePauw
Jayla Logan, DePauw
Eva Lynch, DePauw
MVP - Aubree Empie, DePauw