Tigers Draw Exciting Ending To Season Opener

Wittenberg Men's Soccer opened their season at home to a hot start, beating their opponents, the Transylvania Pioneers, to every ball but weren't able to keep the tempo as they closed the night tying 2-2 in double overtime. The Tigers kept the Pioneers to their half of the field for a majority of the first half, taking advantage of the open spaces and keeping their defense passed midfield.  

The Pioneers passed midfield few times in the first half, but each was taken advantage of with the Tigers having to play catchup in the backfield. The Pioneers were able to follow through, scoring their first six minutes into the game. This in turn set the tone for most of the game, with Wittenberg taking the first yellow card less than a minute after the Pioneers' goal.  

Players kept the match chippy, totaling 33 fouls with three yellow cards for the Tigers and two cards for the Pioneers. No change in scoring until 25 minutes with a penalty kick drawn in favor of Wittenberg. Senior Eli Esterline took the shot, sending it into the back corner tying it 1-1.  

It was a back-and-forth battle in the air, with players sending the ball up field only to have it returned from their opponent. While the match was kept close in the first half, the Tigers started to show their fatigue. Transylvania took advantage of the now slower pace and forcing Wittenberg to draw fouls which would turn into the Pioneers' second goal through a penalty kick by Jak Birdsong at the one-hour mark.  

With the Pioneers leading 2-1, the Tigers took advantage of the through ball and corner kicks the remainder of the game. This would lead them down the stretch to a struggle at the top of the box moving the teams inward. Junior Danny Kukanza was able to get a solid pass in the air with freshman Kees Ciric heading it into the top of the goal tying it 2-2. 

The match would be sent into double overtime, with no one able to close the deal ending the game in an exhausting tie, battled out by both teams.