Men's Lacrosse Drops Narrow Decision to Otterbein in Season Opener

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio—Wittenberg's men's lacrosse team opened up at home on Saturday, as their opponent, Otterbein University, made the trip down interstate 70 from Westerville to take on the Tigers in their season opener. The Tigers were in sync for the entire first-half, leading 7-2 at halftime, but the tempo of the game got away from Wittenberg in the second-half, as the home team dropped the game 13-12. Five different Tigers netted goals for the red and white, led by Austin Brady (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington North) who scored four on Saturday. The loss puts Wittenberg at 0-1 on the young season, and the Cardinals of Otterbein at 1-1.

GAME BREAKDOWN

• The Tigers came out firing at the start of the game, as they were able to net two-quick goals not even three-minutes into the game.
• Sean Kelleher (Lake Forest, Illinois/Lake Forest) scored the first goal of the year for Wittenberg, as the Tigers went up 1-0. Less than a minute later, Kelleher found himself assisting on a goal by Thomas Fuss (New Albany, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln) to go up 2-0 with 12:47 remaining in the first-quarter.
• The Kelleher-Fuss combination reversed roles just before the half, as this time Andrew Fuss (New Albany, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln) assisted on a Kelleher goal to go up 6-2 with 3:32 remaining in the half.
• Brady took matters into his own hands with under a minute remaining in the half, slicing through Otterbein's defense, the junior was able to get a shot off through contact to put Wittenberg up 7-2.
• Out of the break, Wittenberg's offense was only able to put one shot past Otterbein's goalie, as the visitor's netted seven goals in the third quarter to Wittenberg's one.
• Despite leading 8-7 heading into the start of the fourth quarter, Wittenberg lost the lead at 9-8 and was forced to play catch-up for the rest of the quarter.
• Wittenberg clawed back and began to answer Otterbein's attack at Thomas Fuss found his brother Andrew to cut Otterbein's lead to 12-11.
• The Tiger's attack had its chances at the end, but Otterbein's defense stifled the home team's efforts, winning the game 13-12.

KEY STATS

• Wittenberg covered the entire field Saturday, picking up 33 total ground balls to Otterbein's 22.
• The Tigers also had the upper-hand in the face-off circle, gaining control 17 times out of 27 total face-offs.
• Half of Wittenberg's 12 goals were assisted in the season opener, as Andrew Fuss led the Tigers with a team-high three assists on the day.

FROM THE BENCH

• "We had a great first-half, but unfortunately we did not continue it into the second-half. Give Otterbein some credit…They especially controlled the tempo in the third-quarter. We had a few chances at the end, but did not capitalize. We need to have a great week of practice and prepare for a good Albion team," said Coach Owen.

UP NEXT

• The Tigers do not play again until March 5, as the team travels to Albion to take on the Britons at 3:30PM.
• Wittenberg then travels to Denver, Colorado during Spring Break to take on Roanoke, and Colorado College March 9-11.
• March 19 marks the opening of NCAC play for Wittenberg, as the Tigers welcome the Terriers of Hiram to Springfield at 1:00PM.

Written By: Kuris Duggan