Denison eliminated from NCAA Tournament

Otterbein College scored two first half goals and held off a hard-charging Denison squad over the final 45 minutes of play to advance to the third round of the 2008 NCAA Division III women's soccer tournament  with a 2-0 victory from Westerville, Ohio.

On Saturday, both Denison and Otterbein battled through the elements to advance to today's second round.  While Saturday's freezing rain passed through the area overnight, the temperature dipped 10 degrees and hovered around the freezing mark all afternoon.

In the first half the steady wind at Clements Field was in favor of the home team.  Otterbein tested that wind early when Rachel Degen fired a shot from 30-yards out.  That shot got up in the jet stream and sailed into the back of the net, giving Otterbein a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute. 

The Cardinals would strike again 17 minutes later when Adrienne Novak took a shot from the 18 to the upper right corner of the goal.

In the second half the wind would be in favor of the Big Red and DU had their share of scoring opportunities.  Over the final 45 minutes they outshot Otterbein 6-2.  Five of those six shots would result in saves by Otterbein goalkeeper  Tara Carter but Otterbein's additional defenders would be the difference maker for the home team.

Overall DU took 10 shots to Otterbein's six.  Kimmi Oshita led Denison with four shots, all ending up on-goal.  The Cardinals improve to 18-1-2 overall and will advance to the NCAA's round of 16.  Denison's season comes to a close with a 15-5-1 record.

This was Denison University's fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth and their 12th in school history.