SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — A six-goal outburst in the third quarter broke open a close game and propelled the Wittenberg Tigers to a 16-10 win over Washington & Jefferson in their 2012 home opener.

The win moved Wittenberg to 5-1 heading into a showdown with Adrian, which has been receiving votes in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association national poll, at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at Edwards-Maurer Field. The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs in overtime in the first round of the 2011 NCAA Division III Tournament on the same turf.

Washington & Jefferson, which fell to 1-6 on the season, didn't go quietly, however. After trailing by as many as four goals in the first half, the Presidents rallied to tie the game at 8-8 with a goal to open the third quarter.

That is when the Tiger offense got untracked, striking for six unanswered goals. It started with a goal by junior Tyler Hall (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Twp.) just six seconds after Washington & Jefferson's game-tying tally, and it ended with another Hall strike at the 4:12 mark of the third period. Both scores were assisted by junior Alex Previte (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman). 

Both teams scored twice in the fourth quarter as senior goalkeeper Spencer Baker (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) secured the win with four saves. He was credited with six saves in the game overall.

Previte led the offense with four goals and three assists, while senior Jim Ferris (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) finished with four goals and one assist and Hall capped his day with three goals and one assist. Sophomore Jack Bornhofen (Peachtree City, Ga./McIntosh) chipped in with two goals and one assist.

The Tigers' leader in ground balls was freshman Riley Boehm (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie), who scooped up five on the day. Baker and senior Charles Harreys (Essex, Conn./Valley Regional) added four ground balls apiece.