For a team known for its offensive strengths, the star player Saturday turned out to be one who works to keep points off the scoreboard.
Sophomore goalie Maggie Steele only let one slip by her against Kenyon College in what Head Coach Gina Wills said was Maggie's best and most aggressive game of the season.
DePauw (9-1, 7-0 NCAC) traveled to Kenyon (6-4, 5-2 NCAC) and left with a 5-1 victory to beat every NCAC team in their first round of play.
The Tigers punched one into the net after breaking the steady play that was going back and forth in the first 10 minutes. Senior Margaret Ellis assisted Junior Chelsea Cutler on the play.
"This week in practice we worked on getting better angles on our shots from the circle," Wills said.
The Tigers looked to play more aggressively than in the past and utilize flat passes. Kenyon's leading scorer, sophomore Cecilia Depman, answered Cutler's goal to end the half, but DePauw's offense would find its stride in the second half.
The Tigers scored three times in the first 11 minutes of the second half. Sophomore Kate Jovanovic scored on Ellis' second assist. Senior Bridgette Shamleffer found the net back-to-back to push the score 4-1.
Kenyon held the edge in penalty corners, 9-8, putting a lot of pressure on Steele and the defense.
"I have total faith in her in the goal," Jovanovic said. "She came out a couple times and totally saved our butts sliding toward the ball."
Steele had one save each period.
Ellis, the leading scorer for the Tigers, finished the game off by scoring her 14th goal of the season.
The Tigers will have a chance to replay Kenyon and all their other rivals in the future since NCAC teams face each other twice in the season. DePauw will host five of those matches.
"We can't just think that we have it in the bag already," Jovanovic said. "This year in conference, the teams are all over the place. No one is really predictable. We just need to keep our fast pace, and communication is key."
Added Wills, "We need to stay disciplined on the little things to continue to be a successful team for the end of the season."
Next, DePauw will travel to play Wittenberg University (2-8, 2-5 NCAC) on Wednesday at 5 p.m.