GRANVILLE, Ohio - After four straight wins to open the 2004 season, the Wittenberg Tigers came back to earth on Wednesday with a 2-1 loss at North Coast Athletic Conference arch-rival Denison. The loss dropped Wittenberg to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the NCAC, while Denison, which played a tough early-season schedule that included 2003 national champion Salisbury, improved to 2-3 overall and 1-0 in the conference.

The Big Red scored the game's first goal six minutes before the end of the first half and tacked on a second goal midway through the second half. Wittenberg pull within one in the 52nd minute when freshman Caroline Mason found the back of the cage off an assist by Katy Barrett. It was Mason's third goal of the still-young season.

The Big Red controlled through much of the 70 minutes of play, outshooting Wittenberg 16-8 and lining up for 13 penalty corners to nine for the Tigers. Wittenberg goalkeeper Nicole Irvin, who had recorded three straight shutouts to open her collegiate career, turned away 11 shots in the game but still was charged with her first loss. Denison goalie Becca Tavares stopped five Wittenberg scoring attempts.