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HIRAM, Ohio - The Wittenberg men's soccer team did not end the 2009 season how they had envisioned doing so, nor when they envisioned doing so. With a 2-0 loss at Hiram on Saturday, the men finished a 3-13-2 season in which they did not qualify for the North Coast Athletic Conference tournament with a 2-6-1 record in the conference.
Though the season ends prematurely, especially considering the success just last year in 2008, the men finish the season with room for growth. Especially promising was the performance of sophomore goalkeeper Michael Lambeck (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman), who despite allowing two goals, made a season- and career-high 15 saves to keep the score from inflating.
In total, the Hiram offense fired 24 shots, including 17 on goal, while Wittenberg answered with seven, four of those on goal. Senior Brian Glenn (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy) led all Tigers with three shots. Hiram held a distinct advantage in corner kicks, taking 15 compared to just two for the Tigers.
The game, scheduled for play at the Hiram Soccer Complex, was moved to Brosius Park in nearby Garrettsville, Ohio, thanks to a flooded field at the complex. Hiram entered the game needing a win to secure the fourth and final seed in the upcoming NCAC Tournament, and delivered against the Tigers, who themselves had already been statistically eliminated.
Written by: John Strawn '07