Tigers Fall To Unbeaten Denison In NCAC Tournament Semifinals

First-ever league tourney appearance ends quickly as regular season champions overpower visiting Tigers.

Zach Shy contributed an assist to the attack in an 18-3 loss to Denison in the NCAC Tournament semifinals. File Photo | Erin Pence
Zach Shy contributed an assist to the attack in an 18-3 loss to Denison in the NCAC Tournament semifinals. File Photo | Erin Pence
April 23, 2014
Box Score

GRANVILLE, Ohio - For the first time in its three years of existence, the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Men's Lacrosse Tournament included the Wittenberg Tigers. The postseason ride was brief, however, as Wittenberg dropped an 18-3 decision to fourth-ranked and top-seeded Denison.

The loss ended Wittenberg's 2014 season with an overall record of 10-5. The Tigers came into the NCAC Tournament as the No. 4 seed after finishing the league's regular season title chase in a tie with Kenyon for third place at 4-3.

Denison improved to 16-0 overall and advanced to the league title game on Saturday, April 26, against arch-rival Ohio Wesleyan, the No. 2 seed.

The Big Red jumped on top with five first-quarter goals before Wittenberg got on the board with a goal by senior Jordan Shoger (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights) off an assist from sophomore Andrew Fuss (New Albany, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln) with 3:33 left before the first break. By halftime, Denison's lead had expanded to 9-2 as Wittenberg managed just a man-up tally from sophomore Thomas Fuss (New Albany, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln) to counter Denison's four second-quarter goal.

Denison outscored Wittenberg 9-1 in the second half. The Tigers' lone goal came from junior Sean Kelleher (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest), off an assist from freshman Zach Shy (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington), in the third quarter.

The final shot count was a whopping 60-16 in favor of Denison, and the ground ball count was just as lop-sided by a 50-19 margin. Just as importantly, the Big Red won 22 of the 24 face-offs in the game.

Senior Jacob Gilbert (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) and Kelleher led the way in ground balls with three apiece. Also of note, junior Jay Dolan (Andover, Mass./Phillips Andover) was stellar in goal with 21 saves.