September 10, 2005: With air conditioning units running full-blast throughout the month of September in Central Ohio, home owners know all too well about the importance of efficiency. The 16th ranked Big Red women’s soccer were the mark of efficiency on Saturday as they attempted just three shots against #24 Otterbein, connecting on two for the critical 2-1 victory over the Cardinals on the campus of Ohio Wesleyan University.

Denison took the early lead thanks to a goal via a headed ball by junior midfielder Tammy Hoch which was assisted by Kim Cochran. Seventeen minutes later, in the 39th minute, senior All-American Colleen Wirtz netted her second goal of the year from the right side of the box to put Denison up 2-0.

The Cardinals cut into the Denison lead in the 73rd minute when Lauren Thompson corralled a loose ball off a corner kick and slipped the ball past Big Red goalkeeper Liz Gillette and a group of DU defenders. Denison hung on the rest of the way for their third victory of the season and their second win against a nationally ranked opponent.

Otterbein finished with 12 shots and took nine corner kicks to Denison’s five. Gillette notched three saves to improve her personal record to 3-1 and lower her goals against average to 0.73. The match was the part of this weekend’s Central Ohio Soccer Showcase. In today’s first round of action, taking place at Ohio Wesleyan, Denison faced Otterbein while OWU took on Capital.

Tomorrow the match-up’s will flip and the venue will move to possibly the grandest stage for soccer in the United States. The Big Red will face off against Capital tomorrow at 10 am at Columbus Crew Stadium with Ohio Wesleyan battling Otterbein at 1 p.m. Admission to the games is free however donations will be accepted at the gate to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina.