Danville, Kentucky – The Wittenberg men's lacrosse team opened the 2019 season with a trip to Centre College, taking down the Colonels 12-10 on Sunday afternoon. The Tiger offense was led by Noah Moderwell, recording five goals on 15 shots, and two assists on the afternoon. Wittenberg took a 5-4 lead into the break, fending off a late Centre attack in the second half as the Colonels brought the game back to even on four separate occasions coming down the stretch. The Tigers won nearly every major statistical category on the afternoon, taking the 20 of 27 faceoffs, and picking up 37 ground balls to the Colonels 22.
Game Breakdown
The Tigers got the offense going in the first half, overcoming an early 2-0 Centre lead, as Matthew Welch slotted the opening goal of the season for the Red and White. Wittenberg did not shy away from the goal, scoring back-to-back goals to take the lead away from the Colonels, holding a 5-4 advantage heading into the break. Welch added a second goal before the half on the feed from Lucas Klever. Welch added a second goal in the first quarter, bringing the game to even at 2-2, capitalizing on the first Moderwell assist of the season. Moderwell put the Tigers ahead 3-2 at the end of the first quarter, recording his first goal of the season, stinging the back of the Centre net on the unassisted goal. Wittenberg capped off their four-goal run, as Moderwell found the back of the net to start out the second quarter, converting on the pass from Klever. Cooper Harris put the fifth Tiger Goal in the back of the net off the Andrew Ellis assist just six minutes before the first half expired. The Tigers tallied scoring runs of three and four consecutive goals in the second half. Wittenberg scored three straight in the third quarter, as Moderwell scored back-to-back goals, including converting on the man-up advantage and regaining the Tiger lead 7-6. Ellis logged his first goal of the season, putting the final Wittenberg goal on the board in the third quarter, and taking the Tiger advantage up to 8-6. The Tigers closed out the season opener scoring four straight goals in the final 10 minutes of action. Ellis and Welch got the scoring started in the final minutes with unassisted goals. Ellis tallied his second goal of the fourth quarter, converting on the assist from Jerry Coyle. Cam Kennedy sealed the win in the final two minutes with the 13th Tiger goal of the day on the assist from Moderwell.
Who Stood Out
Jack Vierra picked up a team-leading nine ground balls on the day. Quinn McConkey added six ground balls while forcing a Centre turnover. Jack Wolfe picked up three ground balls for the Red and White, forcing three turnovers. Anthony Lebarge tallied three caused turnovers with two ground balls to his credit on the afternoon.
From The Bench
"Hats off to Centre. They had a great crowd, played hard and were well coached. We stayed positive, played hard and believed in one another. Definitely, some areas to improve on, but all things a good week of practice can build on," said head coach Jay Owen.
UP NEXT
Wittenberg will return to action Sunday, Feb. 24 hosting Ill. Wesleyan at 1:00 PM from Edwards-Maurer Field in the home opener.