DePauw Rallies Past Wittenberg For Key NCAC Win

Alejandro Garcia gave the Tigers a 2-1 lead earlier in the second half against DePauw. File Photo | Erin Pence
Alejandro Garcia gave the Tigers a 2-1 lead earlier in the second half against DePauw. File Photo | Erin Pence

GREENCASTLE, Ind. - The hard-luck Wittenberg Tigers dropped a 3-2 decision to DePauw, losing for the second straight year to their North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) despite holding a second-half lead.

Wittenberg fell to 5-7-2 overall and 0-3-1 with the loss, the Tigers' fourth straight following an unexpectedly strong start. DePauw improved to 8-1-3 overall and 3-1-1 in the conference to remain in the hunt for the top seed in the NCAC Tournament.

The visiting Tigers took one-goal leads near the start of each half, but DePauw had an answer both times. The host Tigers then claimed the win with a goal in the 81st minute. Last year, DePauw scored an equalizer in the final minute and then won the game in overtime against Wittenberg.

Wittenberg's first half goal came off the foot of senior Daniel Broidy (Bexley, Ohio/Bexley), who found the back of the net after DePauw's goalkeeper initially saved a shot by senior Alejandro Garcia (Toledo, Ohio/St. Francis). After Garcia set up the Tigers' first tally, Broidy returned the favor with a long throw-in that Garcia corralled and sent past the keeper.

DePauw outshot Wittenberg 19-9 in the game and attempted five corner kicks to the Tigers' three. Sophomore goalkeeper Jeff Mengerink (Delaware, Ohio/Hayes) recorded nine saves.