SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – The Wittenberg Tigers were tantalizingly close to a win in their 2013 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) opener, but they were unable to finish the deal in a heartbreaking 7-6 loss to visiting Kenyon.
The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Wittenberg, dropping the Tigers to 4-2 overall and 0-1 in the NCAC. Kenyon evened its record at 4-4 overall while winning its conference opener.
The largest lead in the entire game was a mere two goals, as Wittenberg held a 3-1 advantage late in the second quarter. However, the Lords scored in the final minute of the second, third and fourth frames to repeatedly rally and eventually force overtime.
With just 42 seconds remaining in the game, Kenyon scored to force a sudden-death overtime session. After the Tigers were stopped on the first possession of the extra period, the Lords cashed in on their lone scoring opportunity as Will Lowe found the back of the net with 1:44 left on the clock.
Kenyon held a slim 41-35 shots advantage in the game, in addition to a 28-20 edge in ground balls. The Lords were dominant on face-offs, however, winning 13 of 17 in the game.
In goal, sophomore Jesse Langer (New York, NY/Salisbury School) was credited with 13 saves for the Tigers. The offense was paced by freshman Thomas Fuss (New Albany, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln) with three goals, while freshman Andrew Fuss (New Albany, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln) added one goal and three assists.
Senior Alex Previte (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) and sophomore Nick Bergenty (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) shared team honors with three ground balls apiece. Andrew Fuss and sophomore Ryan Spitzer (Lincolnshire, Ill./Stevenson) each caused two turnovers.