SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - In a match that had the trademarks of a heavy-weight boxing match, the Wittenberg Tigers landed the knockout blow in an 8-7 overtime win over the Mount St. Joseph Lions. In their home opener, Wittenberg shook off a slow start to surge back in the second half, where in the extra session sophomore attacker Brady Christensen (Medina, Ohio/Medina) buried the winner thirty seconds into extra time.
The story of the night, however, came at the defensive end, where the Tigers started freshman goalkeeper Spencer Baker (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington). He picked up his first collegiate victory in net with 16 saves to hold off the Lions.
Sophomore middie Mitch Cohagan (Pickerington, Ohio/North) seemed to will the Tigers back from a 4-2 defecit at the break. Three goals, two coming from Cohagan, in a span of under two minutes gave the Red & White their first lead since the opening minutes. Junior Jeff Capella (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne)added a pair of markers in the second half as well.
Every time Wittenberg seized momentum, the visitors had an answer, including the game-tying goal from Trevor Noel with just over a minute left in regulation, forcing Christensen's heroics. The win moves the Tigers to 2-0 for the second time in as many years. It also kicks off a lengthy stretch of games away from home for Head Coach George Harris' Tigers. A road trip to Clearwater, Fla., begins the month away from home with a Spring Break match against Curry on Wednesday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m.
Written By: Ben Bradley, SID Assistant