SPRINGFIELD, OH - It took quite a while, but an opposing team finally figured out the formula to defeat Wittenberg Field Hockey with Brighid Kortyna as the team's head coach. After nine straight wins to open the 2024 season, the Tigers were defeated by North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Denison, 3-2, in a dramatic overtime game that has significant implications on the league's regular season title chase.

WIth three games remaining in the regular season, Wittenberg fell from the ranks of the unbeaten at 9-1 overall, and more importantly, the Tigers dropped to 6-1 in the NCAC, one game back of preseason favorite Ohio Wesleyan. Denison improved to 8-6 overall and 7-1 in the NCAC, while DePauw is the other top contender currently, with the Tigers standing 6-2 in the league.

The only other teams still in contention for the four-team NCAC Tournament are Kenyon and Allegheny, both of which have 4-4 records. Wittenberg can move clear of both of those teams with a win on Saturday over last-place Oberlin at Edwards-Maurer Field.

Against Denison, the Tigers fell behind 2-0 over the opening 20 minutes before responding with a goal by Aysha Johnson (Kettering, OH / Fairmont) at the 25:32 mark. Near the end of the third quarter, Wittenberg tied things up on a goal by Devyn Groves (La Grange, KY / Oldham County Senior). The assists were credited to Emily Owens (Stow, OH / Stow-Munroe Falls) and Lucy Ripepi (Lakewood, OH / Magnificat), respectively.

Denison kept up the pressure through the end of regulation, but the Tigers and goalkeeper Caitlin Archdeacon (Saratoga, CA / Westmont) held firm despite a 9-1 deficit in shots over the final 30 minutes. The Big Red finally broke through for the game-winner in the second minute of overtime on Nina Casingal's second goal of the contest.

Denison held a decisive 16-4 shots advantage and a 6-2 edge in penalty corners in the game. Archdeacon came up with seven saves, in addition to a defensive save registered by Jamie Triolo (Haskell, NJ / Lakeland Regional).