GRANVILLE, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers put up a good fight, but they were unable to keep pace with host Denison in North Coast Athletic Conference action Thursday, falling by a 14-9 count.
The Tigers dropped their fifth straight game, all in NCAC action, to fall to 3-10 overall and 0-5 in the conference heading into Saturday's season finale at home against Oberlin. Denison is now 6-7 overall and 3-3 in the NCAC.
It was another slow start that doomed the Tigers as Denison jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first 18 minutes of the game. The teams split the last six goals in the first half, leaving Wittenberg facing a manageable 7-4 halftime deficit. However, Denison slowly pulled away over the final 30 minutes, outscoring the visitors by two in the second half.
Denison outshot the Tigers 35-28 in the game, and the Big Red picked up 10 more saves, a key to the win. Sophomore Amber Cupples led Wittenberg with three goals and two assists, while freshman Lizzie Amorello added two goals.
Cupples had an outstanding all-around game, finishing with team-bests in ground balls with five and draw controls with eight, the latter being a team season-high.