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SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg men's soccer team took a 1-0 advantage over Allegheny in both team's North Coast Athletic Conference opener midway through the first period, but tied the score back up with an own goal in the second period, producing a 1-1 tie that would hold throughout the rest of regulation and two overtime periods. Wittenberg moves to 1-6-2 overall and 0-0-1 in the NCAC, while Allegheny owns marks of 4-3-1 overall and 0-0-1 in conference.
Tiger sophomore forward Stefan Latham (Springfield, Ohio/Catholic Central) scored the Tigers lone offensive goal in the 27th minute on the third shot of a quick succession, which began with a saved shot from senior forward Brian Glenn (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy). On the rebound, junior midfielder Merrick Austin (Westerville, Ohio/Central) shot off the post, sending the ball to the feet of Latham.
Owners of a one-goal advantage 10 minutes into the second half, the Tigers put the ball into their own net to even the score. Wittenberg and Allegheny began feeling the tension in the 71st minute, as a parade of five penalty cards began, stretching all the way into the second overtime. The game finished with four yellow cards and one red in the books, including a yellow card warning to a Wittenberg assistant coach in the second period and a red card ejection of an Allegheny assistant coach in the first overtime.
Wittenberg held a 17-15 advantage in shots over the Gators, along with an 11-4 edge in corner kicks. The Tigers landed five shots on Allegheny's goal, and sophomore keeper Michael Lambeck (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) turned away four Gator shots throughout all four periods.
Wittenberg returns to the pitch on Sept. 29 at nearby Cedarville in a 7 p.m. matchup.
Written by: John Strawn '07