MEADVILLE, Pa. - In their second trip into the Keystone state in five days, the Wittenberg Tigers came so close to their first North Coast Athletic Conference victory since 2005. After two overtime periods, however, it wasn't to be.
The Tigers dropped a heartbreaking double overtime decision to host Allegheny 18-17. The loss moved Wittenberg to 2-11 overall and 0-6 in the NCAC with just a neutral field game against Alfred University left on the schedule - that coming on Sunday at Allegheny.
The Tigers equalled their second-highest scoring output of the 2007 season, but defense was again an issue as all 11 losses have been to teams that have reached double figures offensively. Allegheny's 18 goals matched the most goals the Tigers have allowed this season.
The teams split 16 goals in the first half and 14 more in the second, although Wittenberg held a 17-15 lead in the fourth quarter before the Gators scored twice in the final six minutes to send it to overtime. The two teams split four goals in the first overtime before Allegheny won it at the 5:29 mark of the second overtime period.
That spoiled a five-goal performance from Wittenberg junior Amber Cupples (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster), who also added two assists for a seven-point day. Freshman Joelle Ghanem (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) added three goals on three free-position shots in the game, including the tally inside the final minute of the first overtime that extended the game. Senior Melissa Jackson (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) and sophomore Megan Meige (Westerville, Ohio/DeSales) added three scores apiece, while juniorMolly Floyd (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Hathaway Brown) chipped in a pair of scores.