Tigers Finish Strong Against Muskies to Earn First Win of Season

Springfield, OH - Wittenberg Men's Lacrosse captured its first win of the 2026 season with a come-from-behind 10-8 win over visiting Muskingum on a rainy day at Edwards-Maurer Field.

Wittenberg, which improved to 1-4 on the season with the win, was the only team to score in the first quarter as Tripp Salowich (Plymouth, MI / Canton) found the back of the net for his first of a career-best four goals on the day. Muskingum would begin the second period by tying it up before Ty Harris (Cincinnati, OH / Sycamore) gave the Tigers the lead back after getting the assist from Tyler Bast (Noblesville, IN / Hamilton Southeastern). The Fighting Muskies answered once again, but Wittenberg would regain the lead as Charlie Frederick (Chagrin Falls, OH / Chagrin Falls) won the faceoff and beat the defense before firing the ball past the goalie to put the Tigers up one. Before the half, however, ended the Muskies were able to go up one, scoring back-to-back goals before the horn sounded.

The third quarter started in favor of the Tigers as Harris scored his second goal of the day and Salowich matched him at two to make good on a man up opportunity as Travis Demsher (Santa Clarita, CA / West Ranch) dished the ball to him with a stellar assist. Muskingum tied the game up once again and scored a second time to head into the fourth leading Wittenberg, 6-5. After the Fighting Muskies built their lead to two to start the fourth, the Tiger offense put the pedal to the metal and caught fire, scoring four unanswered goals. Demsher found Salowich again to complete his hat trick, followed by Harris completing his own hat trick with an unassisted goal. Andrew Owen (Springfield, OH / Springfield) scored his first goal of the season with six minutes remaining to give the Tigers the 8-7 lead before Salowich put Wittenberg up two with his fourth goal off an assist from Harris. Muskingum cut the Witteberg lead to one with only two minutes remaining, but Harris scored his fourth goal of the day on a breakaway to close out the game.

For Muskingum, the loss was the first of the 2026 season after opening with three straight victories.

Team Leaders

• Salowich and Harris both led the Tigers in goals with four each and Demsher paced the team in assists with three.
• Frederick logged nine ground balls and Tommy Kipfer (Powell, OH / Olentangy) picked up four.
• Ethan Amidon (Rochester, NY / Brighton) caused multiple turnovers, leading the team with two
• Frederick had the faceoff edge, winning nine of his 11, while Colten Simkins (Liberty Township, OH / Lakota East) was close, winning eight of 11.

Team Comparison

• Wittenberg goalie Griffin Howell (Whitestown, IN / Zionsville Community) was outstanding with 14 saves, while the Tigers picked up 36 ground balls and committed 22 turnovers while converting 20-of-22 clears and won 17 faceoffs. The Tigers also had 36 shots with 20 coming on goal and totaled four assists.
• Muskingum made 10 saves, while the Fighting Muskies picked up 17 ground balls and committed 15 turnovers while converting 22-of-26 clears and won only five of 22 faceoffs. The Fighting Muskies also had 38 shots with 22 coming on goal and five assists.

Next up, the Tigers whill take on the Lynx of Rhodes College in Memphis on Tuesday, March 10, at 5:00 p.m.