Vernon's Goals, Price's Defensive Save Earn Wittenberg Home Win Over Houghton

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Late in the second period against Houghton on Saturday, the Wittenberg field hockey team was drawn into a snare. Goalkeeper Sarah Umberger (Concord, NH/Derryfield School) left the goal to capture a ball bouncing just in front of her, in the center of a circle of six or seven players from either team.

Umberger was unsuccessful at recovering the ball, and Houghton had an uncontested lane and a guaranteed goal. Almost. Freshman defender Meredith Price (Highland Park, Ohio/North Shore Country Day) stepped in with a big defensive save, clearing the ball after it had left the stick of a Houghton shooter and preserving what turned out to be a 2-0 shutout for the Tigers.

Umberger picked up 10 saves in the game, despite a sharpshooting Houghton team that put every shot on goal.

Offensively, freshman Boo Vernon (Lake Bluff, Ill./Cushing Academy) once again provided most of the highlights, scoring twice, including a one-touch slapshot into the goal, off an assist from Tori Casanta (Mason, Ohio/Cor Jesu Academy) in the second period. Vernon opened the scoring unassisted early in the first period.

Written By: John Strawn