SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - A young team is going to have its ups and downs. After playing two excellent games in a one-goal loss and a tie in the season-opening Wittenberg Invitational and then defeating perennial powerhouse Wilmington on Wednesday, the Wittenberg Tigers came up empty Saturday in a 3-1 home loss to Rose-Hulman.

The loss dropped Wittenberg to 1-2-1 overall on the young season, all at home. The Tigers have one more home date on Sunday against DePauw before finally hitting the road.

In the first half, the teams traded goals early in the first half, with the Tigers' equalizer coming off the foot of freshman Shane Price. He was forced out of the game with an injury at that point, however, and his absence was noticeable as the Tigers mounted plenty of offense but not enough of it on goal.

Rose-Hulman took advantage, putting together a pair of counterattacks in the final 45 minutes that put the Engineers over the top. Wittenberg outshot its visitor in both halves, finishing with a 16-10 advantage in total shots. However, Rose-Hulman's goaltender turned away a total of five shots, while Wittenberg's junior netminder Adam Horrocks was credited with three against three goals against.