Allie Keefer

GRANTHAM, Pa. — The Wittenberg Tigers bounced back from a shutout loss to perennial powerhouse Messiah in the season opener, only to lose in heartbreaking fashion, 3-2, to Moravian in the final game of the Messiah Classic.

The loss dropped the Tigers to 0-2, while Moravian improved to 2-0.

The Tigers opened the scoring with a goal in the 10th minute by freshman Cassandra Howell (Batavia, Ohio/Glen Este), whose shot ricocheted off the post and into the goal. After Moravian tied the score in the 34th minute, senior Allie Keefer (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota East) gave the Tigers a 2-1 halftime lead with a header into the goal off a feed from junior Amy Cook (Hilliard, Ohio/Darby).

Moravian equaled the count in the 74th minute with a header off a corner kick, and then Moravian was awarded a penalty kick in the 88th minute. Junior goalkeeper Cassie Lythjohan (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville), who was credited with six saves, was unable to turn the shot away.

A final flurry netted the Tigers nothing. Junior Kailey Striebel (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) hit two shots off the mark, including a final strike with one second remaining. In between, senior Taylor Goss (Sandy Spring, Md./Friends School) hit the crossbar with a shot.

Wittenberg finished with a 15-10 advantage in shots and a 4-1 edge in corner kick opportunities.