SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers appear to have all the pieces in place for a run at the North Coast Athletic Conference title in 2005, but they got off to a disappointing start with a 1-0 home defeat at the feet of nationally ranked Denison.

It was the NCAC opener for both teams, and it dropped the Tigers, the third-place finisher a year ago, to 9-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference. There is still a long way to go, however, as evidenced by what took place during the 2004 season. After losing to the Big Red in the regular season by one goal, the Tigers rebounded to take down Denison in the semifinals of the NCAC Tournament, 4-3 on penalty kicks.

Denison attempted 14 shots in the game, compared to six for the Tigers, only three of which were directed on goal. Denison goalkeeper Liz Gillette, who has not allowed a goal to Wittenberg in more than 200 minutes of action since the first half of last year's regular season game, was credited with three saves in the shutout. Wittenberg picked up eight saves from sophomore goalkeeper Meghan O'Rourke in the defeat.