SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers overcame a slow start to move above the .500 mark for the first time in three years with a 12-7 decision against visiting Seton Hill. 

The Tigers are now 3-2 heading into the heart of the 2006 schedule, which includes key North Coast Athletic Conference games against Denison, Wooster and Kenyon in the next three weeks. Seton Hill is winless on the season.

The two teams were tied 1-1 at the end of the first quarter and 2-2 by halftime, but the Tigers broke out in the second half. Trailing 4-3 early in the third quarter, Wittenberg scored five straight goals. In the fourth quarter, the Tigers took a commanding 12-5 lead before Seton Hill closed things with a pair of goals inside the final minute.

The offensive star of the game for Wittenberg was sophomore Jon Van Vranken, who found the back of the net four times. Junior Travis Moore had his best game of the season, finishing with three goals, while sophomore Brandon Hulett chipped in with a pair of scores. Junior Brandon Schwind, who tied the game in the first quarter with a nifty end to end run, senior Cory Windle and sophomore Dylan Baun each scored one goal. Hulett added three assists in the game.

In goal for the injury and illness-ravaged Tigers was sophomore Andy Shively, who was making his first start of teh 2006 season. He played well, making eight saves.