Springfield, OH- Wittenberg faced off with the Lords of Kenyon in their home opener at Edwards-Maurer field in a heated battle. The Tigers were able to get on the board first but fell in a close 14-12 final score.
Ben Rodell was able to get things started for Wittenberg with an unassisted goal at 11:47. Following him were two more Wittenberg goals, the first being from Mitchell Steinker, assisted by Andrew Eillis. Ellis came back minutes later to give the Tigers their third goal of the game off of an assist from Lucas Klever. Wittenberg was able to hold Kenyon's offense for the first five minutes, and limited the Lords to three goals in the first quarter. Klever returned at the end of the first quarter with an unassisted goal to give the Tigers a 4-3 lead.
Freshman, Kody Gould, grabbed his first collegiate goal to start the second quarter on a man-up opportunity and assist from Ellis. Adding another point of the board for the Red and White was Paul Kirk unassisted, followed by Cam Kennedy also unassisted to give Wittenberg a 7-3 lead. The Tigers were unable to hold onto their lead and allowed Kenyon to score four unanswered goals and took Wittenberg into the half with a tied 7-7 score.
Kennedy and Steinker came back in the third quarter with goals, Steinker being assisted by Klever on another man-up opportunity but Wittenberg continued to trail and ended the quarter down 11-9. Klever was able to pick up a hat trick in the fourth quarter with back-to-back unassisted goals and keeping the game within two. Klever made one more appearance with an assist to Connor Rice in Wittenberg's final goal of the game. In goal for the Tigers was Paxton Kreger facing 19 shots and recording five saves.
Up Next: The men will be back in action at home against Wooster on March 27th at 1PM. Only pre-registered spectators will be allowed attendance at Edwards-Maurer Field.