OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Wittenberg Tiger field hockey team started the 2008 campaign on the right foot, pouring in five goals in a 5-4 victory over the host school Stevenson University in the Black-Eyed Susan Tournament. Freshman Darcy Caciano's (St. Louis, Mo./Kirkwood) second goal of the morning with just under seven minutes remaining proved to be the game-winner, as the Tigers moved to the 1-0 on the young season.
Trailing 1-0 in the tenth minute, returning sophomore All-American Boo Vernon (Lake Bluff, Ill./Cushing Academy) tallied the first Tiger goal, on a cross from Tori Vogelgesang (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula). Just over four minutes later, Caciano struck with her first goal of the game.
Stevenson responded with a pair of goals of their own to take a 3-2 lead midway into the second half, before Vernon evened the contest with her second goal in the 50th minute. Under 10 minutes later, the Tigers reclaimed the lead on a goal from sophomore Tori Casanta (Mason, Ohio/Cor Jesu Academy).
Sophomore goalkeeper Liana Began (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) went the distance in the cage, collecting three saves on the morning. Wittenberg outshot Stevenson 14-8 on the contest, and kept the pressure on by forcing 11 penalty corners.
The championship round of the tournament will take place tomorrow, with the Tigers taking on an opponent that has yet to be announced. The home opener of the 2008 season comes up on Sept. 10, when the Tigers host conference rival Ohio Wesleyan from Edwards-Maurer Field at 4:30 p.m.
Written By: Ben Bradley, SID Assistant