HIRAM, Ohio - It's never easy for the Wittenberg Tigers, but then again no one would expect life in the rugged North Coast Athletic Conference to be simple. After a 3-0 start to the NCAC campaign, the Tigers have gone 0-2-2, with the latest stumble occurring Saturday at Hiram in a 0-0 tie.

It was the second straight tie for the Tigers and the fifth of the 2005 season, a school record. The previous mark was three.

Wittenberg is now 6-5-5 overall and 3-2-2 in the NCAC, setting up a very interesting final week to the regular season. The Tigers travel to Wabash on Wednesday facing a must-win situation, and then they host Wooster on Saturday, Oct. 29 in a game that could well be for the fourth and final NCAC Tournament spot.

Against Hiram, the Tigers were credited with a 24-15 advantage in total shots, including 10 on goal, compared to nine for the Terriers, who were beaten 6-0 in Springfield a year ago. Wittenberg, which outshot Hiram 7-2 in the two 10-minute overtime sessions, has managed just one goal in the last four games, dating back to a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Oberlin on Oct. 8.

Junior goalkeeper Adam Horrocks posted a nine-save game, giving him four shutouts on the season.