SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Field Hockey team got the season started Tuesday night, but not in the preferred fashion. The Tigers fell by a 3-2 mark to the Denison Big Red, starting the season with an 0-1 overall mark and similar number in conference action.
Freshmen Kellen Morissey (Aurora, Co./Smoky Hill) and Elizabeth Dwyer (St. Louis, Mo./Wooster (Ohio)) each tallied a goal within the first 10 minutes to give the Tigers an early advantage, but the Denison defense picked up the pace from there on, preventing Wittenberg from scoring again. Junior defender Kelley Herde (Louisville, Ky./Assumption) and junior forward Boo Vernon (Lake Bluff, Ill./Cushing Academy) picked up an assist.
Wittenberg controlled the first half, heading to the break with a 2-1 lead. Denison controlled the second half, overcoming the deficit with two goals to cruise to the win. Junior goalkeeper Liana Began (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) allowed one goal in her one half in the net, facing just three Denison shots. Sophomore netminder Jenny Schaafsma (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) did not benefit from such low shot totals, facing 11 attempts from the Big Red in the second half, two of which found the goal. Began produced two saves, while Schaafsma stopped four shots.
Vernon paced the Tigers with five shots, followed by Dwyer with three. Morissey's goal represented the only other Tiger shot put forth.
The Tigers, meeting a conference foe in the season opener for the first time following a recent conference scheduling policy change, now face an 0-1 conference record moving forward. The next game for the Tigers follows a long 11-day layoff, as they host NCAC opponent Kenyon at Noon on Sept. 12 at Edwards-Maurer Field.
Written By: John Strawn, Sports Information Assistant