SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers simply had to win on Saturday. Facing the first 0-5 start in more than 25 years (verifiable records available only through 1979), the Tigers came up big with a fine performance and a 2-0 victory over arch-rival Wooster at Edwards-Maurer Field.

A loss Saturday and the Tigers would have been facing an 0-5 overall record and an 0-3 start in the North Coast Athletic Conference, likely ending any realistic chances of winning a fourth straight regular season title. But with the win over Wooster, Wittenberg gets the monkey off its back, claiming the first win in Head Coach Diana Kuser's career and the overcoming three deflating overtime defeats in the first five games of the 2005 season.

After a scoreless first half, Wittenberg gained control of the majority of the action in the final 35 minutes. Just under four minutes into the half, junior midfielder Holly McHugh knocked a ball just past the outstretched arms of Wooster's goalkeeper after the ball ricocheted through the goal mouth off the sticks of freshman Mackenzie Huber and senior Julia Wickham.

The Tigers put the game away with a goal in the 20th minute of the second half as junior Melissa Jackson found the back of the cage after a scrum in front of the Wooster goal.

Wittenberg sophomore goalkeeper Nicole Irvin recorded 10 saves, several of the diving variety, to preserve the shutout while facing 17 Wooster shots. Wittenberg rang up 23 shots, 15 of which were credited as saves for Wooster netminder Anne Leigh. Wickham had eight shots by herself.

Next up for the defending NCAC champions is a road game against Earlham on Wednesday. Game time is slated for 4:30 p.m. (CST).