Tigers Unable To Keep Up With Denison As Rally Falls Short

Tom Fisher

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - After falling behind by two goals in the first 13 minutes of the game, the Wittenberg Tigers got a little more physical and battled visiting Denison to a near standoff before falling 4-2.

Wittenberg rallied to within one goal before halftime and then added the equalizer midway through the second half. However, Denison took advantage of a pair of late-game defensive breakdowns to put the game away and improve to 9-4-2 overall and 5-1-1 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). The Tigers dropped to 3-11-2 overall and fell out of the NCAC Tournament picture at 2-4-1 in the conference with two games left to play.

Denison was the aggressor at the outset, and the Big Red cashed in with goals in the seventh and 13th minutes, both off well-placed shots from the top of the penalty area. On Senior Recognition Night, the Tigers rallied behind seniors Michael Condon (Powell, Ohio/Watterson) and Brian Glenn (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy), with Condon crossing a ball off a set piece to the head of junior Tom Fisher (Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield) for a goal in the 30th minute.

Fisher assisted on the Tigers' second goal as he headed a ball into the penalty box, where sophomore Stefan Latham (Springfield, Ohio/Catholic Central) finished the play with a shot that beat Denison's goalkeeper and tied the score. After another 15 minutes of equal play, the Big Red broke out of the midfield and executed a slick give and go into the top of the penalty area to find the back of the net and give Denison the lead for good. A breakaway in the 86th minute gave the Big Red some breathing room.

Denison finished with a 15-10 shots advantage and a 10-6 corner kick edge. Wittenberg sophomore goalkeeper Michael Lambeck (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) made three saves in each period.

The Tigers hit the road for the final two games of the 2009 regular season. First up is a game at No. 1 ranked Ohio Wesleyan on Wednesday, Oct. 28.