WHEATON, Ill. – Wittenberg's first NCAA Division III Tournament appearance under second-year Head Coach Kwame Lloyd was derailed quickly in a 4-0 first round loss to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
The Warhawks ambushed the Tigers with three goals in the first 23 minutes and then added a fourth tally seven minutes into the second half. Wittenberg battled back to even the overall shot count at 15-15 by game's end, but the Tigers were held scoreless for the first time in six games.
Wittenberg saw its 2012 season end with an 11-5-3 overall record after winning the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) regular season title with a 7-0-1 mark. Wisconsin-Whitewater, champion of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, improved to 16-4-1 overall and advanced to the second round to face either Webster or host Wheaton on Saturday.
Senior Kailey Striebel (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) led Wittenberg with four shots, while sophomore Tobie Weston (Worthington, Ohio/Worthington Christian) added three. Of Wittenberg's 15 shots, however, just five were directed on frame, all of which were stopped by Wisconsin-Whitewater goalkeeper Jordan Myers.
At the other end, senior goalkeeper Cassie Lythjohan (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) was credited with two saves while playing the first 45 minutes of the game before giving way to fellow senior Melissa Gartner (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula), who made four saves in the second half.
"Give a lot of credit to Whitewater for the way they played and the composure they showed on the ball," said Lloyd, who was named NCAC Coach of the Year. "We didn't respond well to some situations at the start of the game, and that made the difference.
"I am very proud of this team and all of our players. To win at this level, you first have to experience it."