SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – After 64 minutes it was a tie game, and the Wittenberg men's soccer team had a good shot at a tie or a win against the Denison Big Red. But it was not to be, and the visitors stole away a 2-1 victory with a 65th minute goal on Saturday.
Playing in front of a large Homecoming crowd, the Tigers played Denison strong and earned a tie with a goal from senior Kevin Bond (Bexley, Ohio/Bexley) in the 24th minute. The tally evened things up after Denison opened the match with a goal just two minutes in.
Bond headed the ball past the keeper after freshman Josh Marks (Hertfordshire, England/Watford Grammar School for Boys) flicked senior Zach White's (Lima, Ohio/Temple Christian) free kick his way. Both Marks and White earned assists on the play.
In the 65th minute, Denison's Blake Miller put the Big Red ahead for good. The loss drops Wittenberg to 4-8-1 overall and 0-2-1 in North Coast Athletic Conference competition.
Wittenberg junior goalkeeper James Van Artsdalen (Riverwoods, Ill./Deerfield) put forth a valiant effort with 14 saves in the match, setting a career high, beating his previous high of 13 set just eight days ago against Ohio Wesleyan.
The Tigers were led in the shots column by Bond with three attempts. Bond also leads the Tigers in scoring on the season with seven goals and 16 points. Marks and junior Mitch Rudibaugh (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) checked in next with two shots apiece.
Wittenberg continues the NCAC schedule with a home match against DePauw on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. on the turf at Edwards-Maurer Field.
John Strawn '07