Tigers Start Fast, Cruise Past Concordia Wisconsin, 11-6

MEQUON, Wisc. — The Wittenberg men's lacrosse team made it a perfect 2-for-2 to start the 2012 season with an 11-6 win at Concordia University Wisconsin.

The win in snowy, frigid Wisconsin came one week after the Tigers opened the season on a spring-like day in Tennessee, where Wittenberg picked up a one-goal win over Sewanee. After returning to Ohio, the Tigers are set to head to Florida for a pair of games and multiple workout sessions during Spring Break.

Wittenberg started strong against Concordia, a second-year program that debuted as a varsity squad a year ago in Springfield. The Tigers sprinted out to a 4-1 lead by the end of the first quarter and held a commanding 8-2 advantage by the end of the third period. Concordia outscored Wittenberg 4-3 over the final 15 minutes.

For the second straight game, the Tigers spread the wealth offensively as eight different players scored at least one goal. Seniors George Gion (Northfield, Ill./New Trier) and Jim Ferris (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) and junior Tyler Hall (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Twp.) each finished with two goals in the game.

The defense was sparked for a second straight game by a stellar performance from senior goalkeeper Spencer Baker (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington), who made 12 saves. Also of note was the play of senior Elliot Avis (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids), who picked up a whopping 15 ground balls while winning 17 of the 20 face-offs in which he participated.