Tigers Rally Past Thiel In Overtime

Spencer Hogue

DEFIANCE, Ohio — The Wittenberg Tigers broke out of an offensive slump in a big way, rallying from an early 2-0 deficit to pull off a 3-2 victory over Thiel in the final game of the Defiance Classic.

The win evened the Tigers' early-season record at 1-1 after losing their opener a day earlier 1-0 to the host Yellow Jackets. The three goals were Wittenberg's first of the season after ending the 2010 season with five straight scoreless games.

Thiel jumped on top early with goals in the 13th and 30th minutes, but less than a minute later the Tigers rallied on a goal by senior Christian Stringer (Delaware, Ohio/Hayes), who headed in a cross from sophomore Zach White (Lima, Ohio/Temple Christian). The score remained the same until the 85th minute, when senior Declan McBride (Surrey, England) found the back of the net to even the score, also off an assist from White.

In overtime, Wittenberg was credited with the lone shot, which the Tigers made count. Senior Stefan Latham (Springfield, Ohio/Catholic Central) played a ball into the penalty box, where senior Spencer Hogue (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) collected the pass and slotted the game-winning goal into the bottom right of Thiel's net.

The Tigers outshot Thiel 21-8 for the game and attempted 10 corner kicks to their opponent's five. Defensively, senior goalkeeper Mike Lambeck (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) was credited with five saves.