Tigers Hang On For One-Goal Win Over Albion

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Through the first four games of the 2015 season, the Wittenberg Tigers had surrendered late leads in two heart-breaking losses. Consider them lessons learned as the Tigers found a way to withstand a late rally by Albion to secure an 11-10 victory.

The win came in Wittenberg's first appearance at Edwards-Maurer Field in the 2015 season, and it moved the Tigers back to 2-3 after an 0-3 start to the campaign. Albion fell to 4-2.

The Tigers came out on fire, scoring the game's first four goals, including three from junior Thomas Fuss (New Albany, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln), over the first 10 minutes of the game. Albion battled back, including a goal with just 11 seconds left before halftime to make the score 6-3.

Wittenberg restored its two-goal lead at the 9:30 mark of the third quarter on a goal by senior Matt Hugdahl (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie), but Albion answered with three scores to close the period and make it a tense 8-7 game. The pattern repeated itself over the final 15 minutes, as Wittenberg scored twice but Albion scored three of the last four to nearly force overtime.

Wittenberg held a 43-33 advantage in shots, including a commanding 28-13 difference in the first half. Albion picked up seven more ground balls in the game, and the Britons held a 16-9 edge in face-offs.

Fuss finished with four goals and Hugdahl added three to lead Wittenberg's offense. Sophomore Zach Shy (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) dished out a pair of assists to go along with a goal and Andrew Fuss (New Albany, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln) finished with a pair of assists as well.

While offense grabs the headlines, the play at the other end for Wittenberg was just as important. Senior Jay Dolan (Andover, Mass./Phillips Andover) made his first start in goal, and he came up with 15 clutch saves - none more so than a stop in the closing seconds as Albion had the final possession.

Written By: Ryan Maurer