ADA, Ohio – A first-half lead was preserved by what Head Coach Kwame Lloyd called a "senior class win" as the Wittenberg Tigers pulled out a 1-0 victory over Ohio Athletic Conference powerhouse Ohio Northern.
The two teams had been scheduled to meet nearly one month earlier, but heavy rains caused unplayable field conditions. It was worth the wait for the Tigers, as they concluded the non-conference portion of the 2012 schedule with a win that moved their record to 7-3-2 overall. Ohio Northern, which was ranked nationally earlier this season, dropped to 6-4-3.
Nineteen different players hit the pitch wearing the Red & White in the game, but just one found the back of the Ohio Northern net. Freshman Kaylee Gialamas (Willoughby, Ohio/Hawken) scored in the 38th minute, knocking home a shot from the left side after senior Grace Winzeler (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) had hit the crossbar.
It turned out that was all Wittenberg would need, despite nearly constant pressure from the Polar Bears. Ohio Northern outshot the Tigers 10-3 in the first half and 7-1 over the final 45 minutes, and the Bears held a 7-6 advantage in corner kick opportunities.
The Tigers held on, however, with some gritty play on the field and three saves from senior goalkeeper Melissa Gartner (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula). Lloyd said that Winzeler, senior Lauren McMahon (Loveland, Ohio/Ursuline) and senior Kelly Brothers (Dublin, Ohio/Jerome), in particular, were all outstanding down the stretch.
Wittenberg, which has won six of its last seven matches, returns home Saturday, Oct. 13, for a key North Coast Athletic Conference game against defending regular season champion Ohio Wesleyan. The Tigers stand 3-0-0 in the NCAC.