DELEWARE, Ohio—Wittenberg men's lacrosse made the short trip to get back to NCAC action this week, as the team squared off against Ohio Wesleyan. The Battling Bishops entered Tuesday night's conference slate as the number ten team in the country with an 8-2 mark in 2016. The Tigers let the home team jump out to a 14-5 lead at halftime, but resiliently enough, Wittenberg managed to hold the Bishops to three second half goals, eventually dropping the game 17-8. Reigning NCAC player of the week, Thomas Fuss (Gahanna, Ohio/Lincoln) came to play Tuesday night, as the senior netted four goals for the Tigers. With the loss, Wittenberg moves to an even 2-2 in NCAC play and a 6-4 mark overall on the year.
GAME BREAKDOWN
- The Tigers fell behind early, allowing nine first-quarter goals to the Battling Bishops.
- Trailing 14-5 at the break, Wittenberg managed to stifle OWU's offense attack in the third-quarter as Fuss found the back of the net on an assist from Sean Kelleher (Lake Forest, Illinois/Lake Forest).
- Fuss' final goal, along with an Anthony Becker (Galloway, Ohio/Wellington School) goal put the score at 17-8, where it would stand as time expired.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- David Strahm (Upper Arlington, Ohio/Upper Arlington) and Brent Whitehead (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) led Wittenberg with three ground-balls, while Fuss led the charge with his four goals.
- Goalies Aaron Blossey (Rocky River, Ohio/Rocky River) and Nick Gregory (Mukilteo, Washington/Kamiak) combined for ten saves in net in the defeat.
KEY STATS
- The Tigers surrendered 22 turnovers in the game, while only picking up 19 ground balls to OWU's 34.
- Wittenberg only managed to win 11-29 face offs in the NCAC game, as OWU managed to prudce 42 shots to the Tigers 30.
- On the night, the visiting Tigers were only successful clearing the zone 16-24 times, as the team was 3-7 in the first quarter.
UP NEXT
- Wittenberg's NCAC slate continues Saturday, April 9, as the Tigers make the trek to Gambier, Ohio to take on the Kenyon Lords at 1:00PM.
Written By: Kuris Duggan