Tiger Lacrosse Falls to Denison in NCAC Championship Game

GRANVILLE, Ohio—Wittenberg Tiger women's lacrosse battled valiantly all season long in 2016, making it all the way to the NCAC Championship game. After taking care of business against Allegheny at home, earlier in the week, the Tigers punched their ticket to the championship game against the Big Red of Denison. Much like the semi-final game against Allegheny, Wittenberg was looking for vengeance against another NCAC foe who handed the team a regular season loss. Early on in the winter take all game, the Tigers jumped out to a three goal lead, but before Wittenberg could look to improve their lead any further, Denison rattled off five unanswered goals to end the first half. The Tiger eventually fell 14-10 to the Big Red, ending their 2016 campaign with a 13-4 mark.

GAME BREAKDOWN

• Wittenberg jumped out to a 7-4 lead behind back-to-back goals from Olivia Lash (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights).
• In the blink of an eye the Tigers lead had dwindled away as Denison jumped out to a 9-7 advantage to end the half.
• The second half proved to be a defensive struggle for both sides, as the Tigers were only able to net three goals in the second half, two of which came off of Lash's stick.
• Wittenberg managed to hold Denison to just five goals in the second half, but it was the home team that ended up victorious as the final buzzer sounded, 14-10.

KEY STATS

• Wittenberg's offense was only able to muster up one assist in the loss, as Becca Joseph (Toledo, Ohio/St. Ursula) recorded the lone point.
• Lash was able to go out with a bang on Sunday, as the senior netted six goals on eight shots on goal in the championship game.
• Breanna Donnelly (Pickerington, Ohio/North) led the Tigers with five ground balls, as Wittenberg picked up 16 as a team.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

• Carrie Kubasta: 2 Goals, 2 Assists, 10 Ground Balls, 3 Caused Turnovers  
• Olivia Lash: 10 Goals, 1 Assist 
• Katie Reuter: 31 Saves, 55 Shots Faced 
• Gretchen Burkey: 4 Ground Balls