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SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Just when it seemed Shane Price (Minford, Ohio/Minford) could not outdo himself, he tried to do it again. Price scored both goals in a 2-0 homecoming defeat of the Allegheny Gators, bringing him to five goals in the last two games.
The two he netted versus the Gators brings him to 13 on the season, and two assists join in to give him 28 points on the season. He leads the team in that category, followed by Matt Borland (Kettering, Ohio/Alter), who trails by seven points.
Battling in the style that has come to define North Coast Athletic Conference play in men's soccer, both teams were aggressive and physical, totaling 31 fouls together, including 15 for Wittenberg. Allegheny's David Egan even drew a yellow card in the last minutes of the game. But the Tigers countered with a strong second half, scoring both goals in that period.
The play was well-balanced throughout the game, with both the offense and defense making big plays. The Tigers laid down 17 total shots in the game, while the defense stifled the Gators, allowing only four shots, all of which resulted in saves by Ben McAnnis-Entenman (Portland, Ore./Cleveland).
The Tiger netminder was as sharp as ever, especially in the first half when he was challenged by an Allegheny forward. McAnnis-Entenman saved the first shot, but lost the ball on a ricochet as it rolled to within striking range for a different forward. Scrambling to all fours, McAnnis-Entenman dove on top of the ball just before the Gator could connect for an almost guaranteed goal at point-blank range.
Senior Joe Zeller (Springfield, Ohio/North) came through when it counted, making big defensive plays several times. Zeller and McAnnis-Entenman, the teams only two seniors, were honored during the pre-game events in what is the last regular season home game of their careers.