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SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Three games into the 2009 season and a pattern has emerged. The Wittenberg Tigers, known for their outstanding work at the defensive end in recent years, have taken things to a new level following a scoreless weekend that was capped with a 0-0 tie with Walsh.
The scoreless draw came less than 24 hours after Wittenberg and Albion battled to through two overtimes to the same conclusion. The Tigers now stand 1-0-2 on the young season, while scoring just one goal on a staggering 48 total shots, including 21 directed on the opponents' goal.
The Tigers outshot Walsh 18-4, but Wittenberg managed to put just three of those attempts on goal. For a second straight game, Wittenberg freshman goalkeeperMelissa Gartner (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula) was not forced into a save, as all four of Walsh's shots were off goal. She shared time with freshman Hannah Hoffman (Bethesda, Md./Chevy Chase) against Walsh.
Amazingly, Gartner has recorded just one save in three games this season. A host of defensive players are to credit as Head Coach Norm Riker continues to rotate players in and out of the lineup to keep players fresh and maximize the phenomenal depth of his roster.
Offensively, four players took two shots, led by sophomore Megan Utter (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids), who put both of her attempts on goal. No other Tiger offensive player was as efficient.
Wittenberg has a week to right itself at the offensive end before taking on perennial powerhouses Centre and DePauw Sept. 11 and 12 in the DePauw Classic.