Shootout Victory Keeps Titans' NCAA Postseason Run Alive

Goalkeeper Brittany Walder (Sr. • Waukesha) saved four consecutive shots in the penalty kick shootout as UW-Oshkosh opened play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Women's Soccer Championship by eliminating Ohio Wesleyan University on Saturday (Nov. 12) in St. Louis, Mo.

UW-Oshkosh (12-6-4) won the penalty kick shootout, 2-1, after going scoreless through two 45-minute halves and a pair of 10-minute overtime periods with its first-time opponent.

The Titans advance to play Washington University (Mo.) at 5 p.m. on Sunday (Nov. 13) in St. Louis. The Bears (16-4), ranked 12th in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, kept their season alive by defeating Thomas More College (Ky.), 2-0, on Saturday.

UW-Oshkosh took a 2-1 lead in the penalty kick session on goals by Kelsey Spaith (Sr. • Madison) and Nikki Reed (Sr. • Muskego). Walder then sent the Titans to the second round of the 64-team tournament by stopping shots from Ohio Wesleyan University's Devon Bradley, Elizabeth Riggio, Jessie Huschart and Makinzie Krebsbach. The Battling Bishops (12-4-5) created a 1-1 tie on Belle Madison's goal in the first round of the penalty kick shootout.

Both teams attempted 11 shots, but UW-Oshkosh tallied a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks. The Titans were led in the defensive tussle by the two shots of both Becca Blue (Jr. • Kimberly) and Nicole Strieker (Jr. • Janesville). The Battling Bishops, who captured NCAA Division III titles in 2001 and 2002, were paced by the three shots of Huschart.

Walder saved four shots, including two in the second half, for her 13th career shutout.

Ohio Wesleyan University goalkeeper Hannah Zacharias stopped three shots, with no more than one coming in a particular session.