Fourth-Ranked OWU Overpowers Tigers In NCAC Clash

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Just three minutes into the game, the Wittenberg Tigers had jumped out to a surprising 3-0 lead. That seemed to awaken a sleeping giant, as fourth-ranked Ohio Wesleyan came storming back with a blistering 18-goal run en route to an 18-4 victory.

The win was Ohio Wesleyan's 10th of the season without a defeat, and it kept the Battling Bishops atop the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) standings with a perfect 4-0 record. Wittenberg lost its second in a row to a ranked league rival to fall to 4-5 overall and 2-2 in the NCAC.

The Tigers came out strong, scoring on their first three shots to take a stunning three-goal advantage. However, it was as short-lived as it was surprising as Ohio Wesleyan responded with five goals over the last 12 minutes of the first quarter and then an eight-goal outburst in the second quarter to take a 13-3 lead into the intermission.

The onslaught continued with four OWU goals in the third frame and one goal in the fourth before the Tigers ended the scoring with a goal with 6:42 remaining.

Senior Matt Hugdahl (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) scored three of Wittenberg's goals, with the other going to sophomore Zach Shy (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington). Junior Andrew Fuss (New Albany, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln), junior Thomas Fuss (New Albany, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln) and senior Sean Kelleher (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) each finished with an assist.

Sophomore goalkeeper Aaron Blossey (Rocky River, Ohio/Rocky River) and senior defender Nick Bergenty (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) led the way in ground balls with three apiece, while junior defender Matthew Klever (Lebanon, Ohio/Moeller) was tops in caused turnovers with three. For the game, Wittenberg was outshot 55-20 but the Tigers held a 21-16 edge in ground balls. Blossey was credited with 11 saves before giving way to sophomore Nick Gregory (Mukilteo, Wash./Kamiak), who made four saves in the fourth quarter.

Written By: Ryan Maurer