Delaware, Ohio – The Wittenberg University field hockey team will make a trip back to North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament this season, sealing their spot as the tournament's fourth seed with a 2-1 win over the Battling Bishops of Ohio Wesleyan University. The Tigers claimed the fourth seed by winning the head to head tie-breaker with Ohio Wesleyan, as both teams finished the regular with a 7-7 mark in NCAC contests. Wittenberg closed out the season with a final record of 7-10, winning three straight to end the season including six of their last seven. The Tiger made a run all the way to the NCAC Tournament Championship game during their 2017 season, eventually falling to the Big Red of Denison University in the final, 2-1.
Game Breakdown
It took just over two-minutes for Ohio Wesleyan to find the back of the Wittenberg cage, taking the early 1-0 lead to start the game. The Wittenberg defense would hold strong for the remainder of the half, keeping the Battling Bishops off the board for 25 minutes. The Tigers countered the Ohio Wesleyan attack by slotting a goal of their own before going into the intermission. Blaine Donnelly put the Tigers on the board, capitalizing on the Isabella Wagner assist and bringing the game back to even at 1-1. As the clocked ticked closer to the 70-minute mark, the Tigers put on the pressure logging the second goal in the 64th minute of action. Kayla Cull put the go-ahead goal in the back of the net for the Tigers, slicing through the right side of the Ohio Wesleyan defense with just over six minutes left in the game.
Inside The Numbers
It was a tight battle, as Wittenberg led the shot count after the first half 8-7. The Battling Bishops would get one more shot off than the Tigers during the game, logging 16 to Wittenberg's 15. Allie Purvis came up with seven saves against eight shots on goal in 70 minutes in the goal for Wittenberg.
From The Bench
Quote from sophomore forward #3, Veronica Carrow pic.twitter.com/c0MoN4PWcq
— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) October 27, 2018
UP NEXT
Wittenberg will travel to Denison University on Wednesday, Oct. 31 for a 3:00 PM showdown to open up NCAC Tournament action against the Big Red.