CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. - The Wittenberg Tigers opened a new era with a disappointing, yet promising, 4-3 loss at Thomas More.

The game marked the head coaching debut of Brenton Dawson, who is taking over on an interim basis for his father, Steve Dawson, who headed the program since 1982. The Tigers, with five freshmen in the starting lineup, trailed for much of the game but repeatedly battled back before dropping the one-goal decision.

The Tiger freshman who made the biggest impact on the scoresheet actually was not in the starting lineup. Alberto Zaragoza (New Carlisle, Ohio/Tecumseh) scored two of Wittenberg's three goals, knotting the game up at one with a score in the 34th minute and at two with a tally in the 51st.

Wittenberg's third and final goal came in the 78th minute as sophomore Teddy Price (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) put one in. The score was not enough to overcome a five-minute defensive lapse that led to two Thomas More goals, however.

The final shot count was 14-10 in favor of Thomas More, and each team finished with five corner kicks. Zaragoza was the lone Tiger with more than one attempt on the Saints' net.

Freshman goalkeeper Jack Snider (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek) was credited with four saves in the game.

Wittenberg opens the home portion of the 2015 schedule at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, against Heidelberg, and continues the Labor Day stand with a contest at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6.

Written By: Ryan Maurer