SPRINGFIELD, Ohio—The buzz around the Tiger's men's soccer program has been high since the hiring of head coach Dwight Burgess in 2015, and on Thursday the Burgess era began with a bang. The Tiger's communicated well, passed well, and were all over the field on Thursday night, downing the Quakers of Wilmington 4-1. A high octane offense was on display in the first half, one that featured three highlight-reel-worthy goals, but it was the Tiger defense that created opportunity after opportunity for the team under the lights in Springfield. Wittenberg starts the season 1-0 for the first time since 2013 as the program is back in action on September seventh against the Polar Bears of Ohio Northern. The match is set to kickoff at 7:30PM at Edwards Maurer Field.

GAME BREAKDOWN

• In the first half,Alberto Zaragoza netted two momentum building goals for the Tigers, within three minutes of one-another, helping the team jump out to an early lead.
• Two minutes after Zaragoza's second goal, Austin Lewis found the back of the net on a beautiful pass from Kevin Helt to extend the home-team's lead to 3-0.
• After taking a 3-0 lead in to the half, Wittenberg wasted no time in the second-half, as Jack Minnery got in on the scoring action, moving the Tigers lead to 4-0.

KEY STATS

• Jack Snider made six saves in net for the Tigers, as Wittenberg nearly shutout the visiting Quakers in the home-opener.
• On the night, the Tigers produced 12 total shots, keeping the pressure on Wilmington all night long.

UP NEXT

• Wittenberg returns to action on September seventh in Springfield as the Polar Bears from Ohio Northern come to town for a 7:30PM non-conference tilt.