The Tigers (6-3) bounced back from their first conference loss of the season against Kenyon with a 5-2 win on Saturday over Ohio Wesleyan (5-4).
The win proved to be the program’s fifth victory in conference play, something that sophomore forward Paige Berliner sees as pivotal in setting the Tigers up for the postseason.
“While we go into the game with the intention of doing our best, I think conference games put a little more pressure on us to win so we have the best possible outcome in postseason,” said Berliner.
Offensively, the team was led by Berliner, whose hat trick brought her to eight goals on the season. Berliner scored two of her three goals within the first 25 minutes of the first half to give DePauw a 2-0 lead.
The Battling Bishops answered with a goal of their own from sophomore defender Paige Haenig with only 2:42 to play in the half. But within seconds, DePauw had regained momentum after freshman midfielder Corina Bourantas scored the Tigers’ third goal of the game.
DePauw struck first again in the second half with a goal from sophomore forward Reilly Bruce. Ohio Wesleyan got themselves back in it after senior forward Montana Knapp scored on a breakaway, but the comeback was too little too late, and Berliner topped off the scoring with her third goal of the game just before the 60th minute, putting the game out of reach.
On the defensive side, DePauw was led by sophomore goalie Sarah Guendert, who made four saves for the Tigers.
After focusing on things such as the press and transitioning the ball from sideline to sideline in practice, head coach Erika Dombkowski was impressed with the team’s efforts.
“Prior to the game, I had said that it would be the turning point to our season--transferring everything we have done in practice to this game,” said Dombkowski. “High scoring games are a proof of our talents and our defense has been strong transitioning the ball up the field.”
The Tigers return home this Wednesday to take on another conference opponent in Earlham. The game will be played at 6:00 p.m. at Reavis Stadium.