Carnegie Mellon University
November 22, 2019

Tartans Cruise Past Ohio Northern in NCAA Sectional Semifinal

By Andrea James

Andrea James

Senior Tara Durstewitz was involved in all three goals scored by the 25th-ranked Carnegie Mellon University women's soccer team who defeated 17th-ranked Ohio Northern University, 3-0, in the 2019 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship sectional semifinal Friday evening at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. The win marks the second time in school history the women's soccer team has advanced to the sectional final, the other coming in 2012 during the program's first appearance in the NCAA Championship tournament.

The Tartans (13-5-1) controlled possession all game and first broke through with a goal in the 24th minute when freshman Rachel Legg pounced on a free ball inside the box following a corner kick by Durstewitz. The commotion in the box didn't faze Legg who calmly placed a shot past Meagan Grierson for the early lead.

Another corner kick was earned in the 40th minute, as the Tartans continued to press the Polar Bears (18-3-3) defense. Following Durstewitz's service the Tartans won possession back with Durstewitz again sending a cross into the box from near the end line. This service inthe 41st minute was met by sophomore Julianne Tippett's head just inside the six-yard box. Tippett easily put the header in past a stunned defense and Grierson.

Sixteen minutes into the second half, Durstewitz scored for herself with an incredible strike from just outside the corner of the 18-yard box on the right side of the goal. She dribbled at a defender who continued to give her space until she struck a right-footed shot over Grierson for the three-goal advantage.
The Tartans took 15 shots for the game with six stopped by Grierson. One of those stops was off the foot of freshman Helena Spencer in the 53rd minute. Sophomore Jocelyn Mayer played a cross into the box from the left side that Spencer timed perfectly with her run but Grierson's foot stopped the attempt.

Senior Andrea Sipos and junior Carolyn Botz split time in goal for the shutout with Botz making the only save of the game in the 88th minute.

The Tartans will now face 19th-ranked University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday at Wheaton College in the sectional final for the chance to advance to the final four.