SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - On a wet and rainy afternoon at Edwards-Maurer Field, the Wittenberg field hockey team played with something to prove to last year's North Coast Athletic Conference champion Oberlin, defeating the Yeowomen 5-4 in overtime.
Just five minutes into the game the Yeowomen took an early lead on the Tigers. But the lead would not last as the Tigers returned the favor with a goal of their own five minutes later. The goal was knocked past the Oberlin goalie by senior Melissa Jackson (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington), with an assist from across the field from teammate Caroline Mason (New Canaan, Ohio/New Canaan). The Tigers tried to keep their momentum for the rest of the first half, but with just six minutes remaining the Yeowomen found the back of the goal to take a 2-1 lead.
In the second half the Tigers came out roaring. Just three minutes into the second half Jackson lobbed her second goal of the game unassisted. Alison Voigt (Louisville, Ky./Ballard) shot the ball and as it hit off the side of the goal, Jackson knocked it in. The game was tied until 20 minutes remained in the second half when Mason scored off a deflection to give the Tigers the 3-2 lead. The Yeowomen rallied back less than one minute later as attacker Abigail Brox completed a hat trick with her third goal of the game.
The 3-3 tie would not last for long as senior Katy Barrett (Powell, Ohio/Watterson) scored off an assist from teammate Rachel Dunn (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny). With only eight minutes left in the second half the Yeowomen came back to the tie the game once more at 4-4.
As the final minutes of regulation ran out, the Tigers and Yeowomen entered overtime. Carrying the momentum throughout the entire overtime, the Tigers pulled out the victory with only 1:23 remaining. Dunn had a breakaway down the field, and she launched the ball into the back of the goal to give the Tigers the win.
With this win, the Tigers now improve to 5-3 overall, and 3-1 in the conference. The Tigers next challenge comes Tuesday, Sept. 26 against the Big Red of Denison.