By Ian Round

The women’s soccer team knew they had to beat Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) on Tuesday, Oct. 29 to stay in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) playoff hunt. But even then, they were unable to control their own fate.

Co-Captain Becca Romaine ’15 scored both goals on assists by midfielders Madi Kim ’14 and Lucy Evert ’16 in the team’s 2-0 win over OWU on Tuesday.

“It was great getting the win today,” Romaine wrote in an email. “My goals today were just some really great opportunities from my teammates that I put away.”

However, Denison and Wittenberg also won their games, mathematically eliminating the Ladies (5-9-2, 3-3-1 NCAC) from a spot in the tournament.

Before the game, Head Coach Kelly Bryan said, “We have a very clear objective today and Saturday [Nov. 2].”

Four of nine NCAC teams play in the conference tournament, and the Ladies were unable to clinch one of the spots.

“To make it to the top four, it’s an honor,” Bryan said.

Bryan said the injury-plagued team had only three substitutes at its weakest moment, forcing goalkeeper Lauren Wolfe ’14 to play in the field and allowing Alissa Poolpol ’16 to play in goal. She said four players had season-ending injuries and up to seven were hurt at any point.

The Ladies’ season will come to a close when they host Oberlin on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m.

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