Tigers Break Through In 2-1 Win Over Ohio Northern

Kayla Murphy tallied the game-winning goal against Ohio Northern. File Photo | Blake Nelson '17
Kayla Murphy tallied the game-winning goal against Ohio Northern. File Photo | Blake Nelson '17
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SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers broke a four-game winless string with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over visiting Ohio Northern.

The win pushed the hard-luck Tigers to 2-3-1 on the season. Wittenberg has played five games decided one goal and also tied Wilmington. Ohio Northern is now 2-2-1.

First-year Head Coach Matt Fannon can certainly hope that the win over the Polar Bears, who have been one of the consistent teams in the Great Lakes Region in recent years, will serve as a breakthrough of sorts. The Tigers were forced to rally from an early deficit, scoring two goals in a span of exactly five minutes in the second half to pull out the win.

The two teams split 14 shots right down the middle in the first half, but Ohio Northern held a 1-0 halftime advantage thanks to a goal at the 3:39 mark. Over the final 45 minutes, the Tigers outshot the visitors 8-6, with seniors Leslie Oliver (Enon, Ohio/Greenon) and Kayla Murphy (Dayton, Ohio/Stebbins) scoring in the 73rd and 78th minutes, respectively.

The assists were provided by juniors Mary Clare Yerke (Upper Arlington, Ohio/Upper Arlington) and Chelsey Marcum (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville).

Marcum led the Tigers with four shots in the game, while Oliver and junior Tobie Weston (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Christian) each finished with three shots. At the other end of the pitch, sophomore Maggie Grieser (St. Paris, Ohio/Graham) picked up the win in goal after making two saves in 45 minutes of work.