Tigers Take Three Wins, and One Loss

Travis Moore

The Wittenberg men's lacrosse team is hoping for a strong finish to a sometimes trying season, one that will act as a springboard for a young core of players as they prepare for the 2005 season.

With two weeks remaining in the season, the Tigers are 4-8 overall and 2-3 in the North Coast Athletic Conference, but more importantly, Wittenberg is 3-1 in its last four games over the last two weeks. Four games remain on the schedule, beginning with tonight's showdown with perennial powerhouse Ohio Wesleyan.

On April 7 against Kenyon, the Tigers picked up their biggest win of the season, rallying past the Lords in an NCAC game, 12-11. Freshmen Adam Morrison (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson), Sammy Hong (Dublin, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne), Cory Griffiths (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson) and Jay Shimko (East Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) and senior Hans Rydquist (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) all had multi-goal games. Down 7-3 at halftime, the Tigers scored all six goals in the third period to take a 9-7 lead into the final frame. Kenyon tied it with two goals before Hong, Shimko and Griffiths scored to give the Tigers just enough cushion.

On April 10, the Tigers had no such rally in them as Wooster took a 10-5 decision at Edwards-Maurer Field. The two teams were tied at four at halftime before the Scots, who are one of three teams in the NCAC with just one loss currently, took control and scored six of the seven goals in the second half. Sophomore Cory Windle (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne) scored two goals in the game and freshman Matt Davis (Medina, Ohio/Medina) added a goal and assist, while the Tiger defense did a stellar job, led by freshman Brandon Schwind (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) with nine ground balls and senior goalkeeper Kyle Prussing (Concord, Mass./Concord-Carlisle) with 15 saves.

On April 14, the Tigers traveled to Oberlin and escaped with an 8-7 win. After falling behind 4-0, Wittenberg rallied to tie the game at four by halftime and then escape with the win on a fourth-quarter goal by Morrison, off an assist from Rydquist.

Finally, the Tigers padded their stats in a 21-6 victory over visiting Washington & Jefferson on April 17. That margin improved the Tigers scoring differential to a surprising 122-121 in Wittenberg's favor. Freshman Travis Moore (Columbus, Ohio/Wellington) scored five goals in the victory and Rydquist finished with six points on one goal and five assists.

Rydquist ranks second in the NCAC in points per game at 3.17 and Hong is second in the latest conference statistics in goals per game at 2.17. Rydquist, Hong, Windle and Morrison all have more than 30 points on the season.