Tigers Keep Rolling With Win At Adrian

The Wittenberg Tigers made their final tune-up for the 2011 North Coast Athletic Conference campaign a positive one with a convincing 16-9 win over homestanding Adrian.

March 26, 2011
Box Score
Brady Christensen

ADRIAN, Mich. — The Wittenberg Tigers made their final tune-up for the 2011 North Coast Athletic Conference campaign a positive one with a convincing 16-9 win over homestanding Adrian.

The Tigers extended their program-best start to 7-0, while Adrian fell to 4-2. Wittenberg returns home for a week of preparation before squaring off with conference rival Kenyon at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Edwards-Maurer Field.

Against Adrian, the Tigers started fast and finished strong, outscoring the Bulldogs in all four quarters, even after allowing two goals in the final 30 seconds of the game. After jumping out to a 5-2 lead in the first quarter, Wittenberg pushed the advantage to 10-5 by halftime and 12-6 by the end of third frame. Seniors Brady Christensen (Medina, Ohio/Medina) and Matt Lord (Pickerington, Ohio/North) combined to score nine of the Tigers' 16 goals, and both even contributed an assist to the attack. Sophomore Alex Previte (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) also turned in a strong performance, finishing with two goals and two assists.

Wittenberg's defense was spearheaded by another fine outing from senior goalkeeper Mark DeOliveira (East Hanover, NJ/East Hanover), who was credited with 13 saves. He also led the Tigers with six ground balls, while junior Elliot Avis (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) and senior Danny Johnson (Cincinnati, Ohio/Indian Hill) added four ground balls apiece.

The Tigers outshot the Bulldogs 49-33 and finished 3-of-8 on extra-man opportunities, compared to 1-of-5 for Adrian. Wittenberg lost more face-offs than it won for the first time in 2011, but the Tiger defense made up for it with a perfect 18-of-18 on clear attempts.