Wittenberg Falls To John Carroll In Wittenberg Invitational Finale

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers, many times featuring a lineup with nine freshmen on the field together, rallied in the second half to forge a tie with visiting John Carroll before eventually falling 3-2 in the finale of the season-opening Wittenberg Invitational.

The Tigers' loss, coupled with Otterbein's surprisingly dominating 4-0 victory over Ohio Dominican in the first game of the day, gave the Cardinals their second Wittenberg Invitational title in the last three years. Wittenberg and Otterbein tied 3-3 in the first game of the competition on Saturday, with the Cardinals claiming the win on penalty kicks.

For the second straight day, Wittenberg fell behind 2-0 by halftime as John Carroll controlled much of the action in the first 45 minutes. But just as they did against Otterbein, the Tigers went with a younger lineup in the second half and the results were almost immediate as junior Brian Mutton scored off a set piece to halve the lead and then freshman Shane Price, who had the assist on the first goal, got the equalizer. He worked the ball against two Blue Streak defenders all the way to the end line and then with just a glimmer of daylight slipped it past the goalkeeper from a most improbable angle.

John Carroll had the answer, however, and the Blue Streaks held on for the final 27 minutes despite several outstanding Wittenberg opportunities.

The Blue Streaks finished with the overall offensive advantage, outshooting Wittenberg 17-10 and directing nine on goal, compared to six for the Tigers.