WILKES, Pa. – The Wittenberg field hockey team ran up against a late fight from Wilkes University, who erased a 3-2 deficit with just 18 seconds remaining in the game to force overtime, where the Colonels scored the game-winning goal to send the Tigers to 0-2 to open the season.
Being saddled with the final goal betrays the solid effort of junior goalkeeper Jessica Jensen (Hartland, Wisc./Arrowhead), who posted 14 saves against four goals allowed in over 72 minutes in goal.
As a team, the Tigers put together 14 shots, led by three apiece from senior Kellen Morrissey (Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill) and sophomore Audrey Phibbs (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont).
Phibbs scored the first goal of the game and assisted on a goal by freshman Karen Blacklock (Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) to help the Tigers to a 2-0 lead, but Wilkes answered with two of their own. Wittenberg retook the lead 3-2 in the 48th minute on a goal by Casey Fry (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea), and defended the lead through the next 12 minutes, coming within 18 seconds of holding on for the win.
Wilkes evened the score to force overtime, where it took the Colonels 2:11 to find the net and end the contest.
The Tigers remain on the road for a third straight game, heading to DePauw on Wednesday, Sept. 5, for a 5 p.m. contest to open the North Coast Athletic Conference schedule.