Nov. 1, 2007

By Zach Stipe

ADA — A strong defensive performance and goals from freshman Natalie White and junior Erin Stapp vaulted the No.1-seeded Ohio Northern women's soccer team past No. 5-seed Wilmington, 2-0, in the semifinals of the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday at the ONU Soccer Field in Ada.

The win propels the Polar Bears (12-4-2) into their first OAC finals since 1998. ONU will host No. 2-seed Capital at 12 p.m. on Saturday at the ONU Soccer Field in Ada with the winner earning the OAC Tournament title and an automatic berth in the NCAA III Tournament.

The Quakers finish their season with a record of 13-6-2.

The teams fought to a scoreless tie through most of the first half.

White gave ONU a 1-0 lead with less than five minutes remaining in the first half. She took a cross from junior Emily Davies and headed a goal inside the near post for the game's first score.

Northern clung to the 1-0 advantage until the 83rd minute when Stapp, on a breakaway, finished a through ball from sophomore Angie Pisut to give ONU the 2-0 lead.

Senior Barbie Krieger made four saves and earned her fifth shutout of the season for ONU, while Casey McKinney had six saves for Wilmington.

The Polar Bears held an 8-4 edge in shots on goal and a 19-13 overall lead on shots.

"It was a good team effort today," ONU head coach Mark Batman said. "We're happy to make it to the finals, but we know we have one more big game left."

Saturday marks the fifth time ONU has played in the OAC finals and the Polar Bears will be looking to grab their first win.

Northern defeated Capital 3-1 on Oct. 26 in Bexley in their regular season matchup.

In 2006, the Crusaders ended the Polar Bears' season in the OAC semifinals by winning on penalty kicks.