SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – A home win eluded the Wittenberg men's soccer team through two games this season, but that changed with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against Mount St. Joseph Wednesday night at Edwards-Maurer Field.
Tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, Wittenberg came out energized in the overtime period and shot twice without allowing the Lions a shot.
Just over five minutes into the period, senior Alejandro Garcia (Toledo, Ohio/St. Francis) sent a ball into the box where it deflected off MSJ goalkeeper Tyler Kenyon towards the endline. Senior Brock Hicks (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany) beat the ball there and, while falling to the ground, twisted a shot to towards the goal, barely evading the near post and angling just inside the far one.
Thanks to "golden goal" overtime rules, the improbable shot ended the game and sent the Tigers to a 4-3-1 overall record.
For Hicks, it was the second goal of the night and third of the season. Garcia recorded assists on the Tigers' other two goals and led the team with four shots on the night. Freshman and local product Jerron Bennington (Springfield, Ohio/Greenon) notched his first collegiate goal in the 40th minute to get the Tigers on the board.
Wittenberg sophomore goalkeeper Jeff Mengerink (Delaware, Ohio/Hayes) posted five saves on the night amidst 11 Lion shots, while Wittenberg shot 12 times throughout the night and held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks.
On defense, junior Tim Weissman (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) stood out in his efforts to keep Mount St. Joseph at bay, successfully leading the effort that kept the Lions from taking any shots in the overtime period.
The Tigers take their show on the road to open North Coast Athletic Conference action at Allegheny College on Saturday, Sept. 22, in a 2 p.m. match in Meadville, Pa.
John Strawn '07