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SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Leading 2-1 late in their NCAA Division III Tournament first round contest, Wittenberg could not hold on as they fell 3-2 to Carroll (Wisc.) in a match held at Wheaton College (Ill.). Making their first NCAA appearance since 1996, the Tigers struck with goals from Matt Borland (Kettering, Ohio/Alter) and Brian Glenn (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy) in the second half, but a pair of late Pioneer goals reversed the final result.
The Tigers ran out the gate, but could not find the net in spite of a 9-5 shot advantage in the first session. Instead, it was Carroll to strike first just beyond the half hour with an Andy Prentice goal. From there, the two sides would battle to a 1-0 partial result at halftime.
Seven minutes after the restart, Borland looked to ensure that his final season in a Tiger uniform would be extended at least one more match. Teammate Matt Fleissner (Fanwood, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) found Borland for the equalizer in minute 53 to bring the Tigers on level terms.
Wittenberg would parlay the momentum into a flurry of opportunities to look to seize the lead. The break-through came just nine minutes before full time when Borland played a ball to Glenn, who found the go-ahead goal in the 82nd minute.
With all the momentum on the side of the NCAC at-large representative, Carroll were forced to turn the tide in the dying moments. Just three minutes later, they got the break they needed, with a Alex Goranson goal to knot the match up at 2-2. Then, with the Pioneers on the sudden offensive, lightning struck in the 87th minute with a Prentice goal, giving him the brace and restoring the Carroll advantage. Aggravating the situation for the Tigers was a straight-red card issued to Borland, relegating the Tigers to ten men for the final minutes.
The final surge for Wittenberg fell short, as their season came to a close in with the loss in Wheaton, Ill. Carroll moves on to the second round to take on Ohio Northern, a 4-1 winner over host Wheaton.
The group of 13 graduating seniors do not leave the program empty-handed - the 2008 Tigers put together the best season in program history, taking a final record of 16-4-1.
Written By: Ben Bradley, SID Assistant