Tigers Pull Out Overtime Win Over Ohio Northern

Shannon Brueck knocks home the game-winning shot to beat Ohio Northern in double overtime. Photo by Nick Falzerano
Shannon Brueck knocks home the game-winning shot to beat Ohio Northern in double overtime. Photo by Nick Falzerano

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers had to work overtime, but the extra effort was well worth the wait in a thrilling 1-0 double-overtime victory over visiting Ohio Northern.

The win pushed Wittenberg back over the .500 mark at 4-3-1, and it stopped a two-game skid. All three of the Tigers' losses in the 2015 season have come against teams currently in the top 15 nationally.

Ohio Northern fell to 3-4-1 on the season.

Most of the game was contested in the midfield, with just 18 official scoring chances awarded statistically in the final boxscore. Wittenberg held a narrow 10-8 edge in shots, while the two teams split eight corner kick opportunities right down the middle.

The game-winner came 2:12 into the second overtime. After the Tigers built an attack and played a ball into the ONU penalty box, freshman Shannon Brueck (Loveland, Ohio/Milford) emerged from the scramble to put the ball in the back of the net for the first time all night.

The Tiger offense was led statistically by sophomore Emma Hawthorn (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade Julienne) and sophomore Lauren Hofer (Avon, Ind./Cardinal Ritter) with two shots apiece. Six other players joined Brueck with one official shot in the game.

Sophomore Hannah Wilson (Pickerington, Ohio/North) picked up her fourth win of the season in goal after making three saves. Wittenberg also got a key team defensive save in the 48th minute to keep the game scoreless.

Written By: Ryan Maurer