SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers guaranteed themselves a spot in the upcoming North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament with a 4-2 victory over the first-place Wooster Scots from Edwards-Maurer Field.
Sophomore forward Boo Vernon (Lake Bluff, Ill./Cushing Academy) recorded a hat trick, including the game-winner early in the first half. Vernon's first goal of the contest came on a penalty corner assist from senior defender Whitney Marshall (Barre, Mass./Quabbin Regional). Following the Tiger marker, it was the Scots who controlled possession for the majority of the half.
Right before halftime, however, the Tigers scored a pair of quick goals - the first by sophomore forward Tori Casanta (Mason, OH/Cor Jesu Academy) followed by Vernon's second tally to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead at the intermission. Casanta is now just three goals away from setting the all-time season mark in Wittenberg history.
The Tigers saw their lead cut to two early in the second half, but Vernon re-established the three-goal lead with her third score that ensured a Tiger win. The game's statistics reflected an extremely even match-up, with each goaltender making eight saves - four in each half - and Wittenberg holding a slim 14-13 shots advantage. Wooster scored twice off their 12 penalty corners, while Wittenberg recorded a pair of scores on their eight penalty corner opportunities.
Wittenberg returns to action again Sunday, Oct. 19, when the Tigers travel to take on NCAA Division II scholarship program Bellarmine University at 6 p.m.
Written By: Ben Bradley, SID Assistant