Ohio Northern Races Past Tigers in Season Opener
ADA, OH – Unable to stop a third-period scoring surge by Ohio Northern, Wittenberg Women's Lacrosse dropped its season opener on the road to the Polar Bears, 15-3, at Dial-Roberson Field in Ada, Ohio, on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Each team matched one another in the first period with two goals apiece, but Ohio Northern struck for two more in the second to go up 4-2 at the intermission. The Polar Bears then put a seven-spot on the board in the third and added four more in the fourth to pull away for the comfortable victory.
Ohio Northern was the first to get on the board in the opening minutes, but Wittenberg answered at the 10:18 mark when Sophia Meek (Lewis Center, OH / Olentangy Orange) scored a goal off an assist by Alyssa Burnside (Galloway, OH / Hilliard Bradley) to tie it. The Tigers went up 2-1 on an unassisted goal by Aubrey Stager (Saline, MI / Saline) with 7:31 showing on the clock. However, there was a long scoring drought for the Tigers. Wittenberg's third and final goal came at the 12:33 mark of the fourth off the stick of Jarya Hassell (Bellbrook, OH / Bellbrook), unassisted.
Essence Wyse (Lewis Center, OH / Olentangy) led the team in shots with four, including two on goal. Hassell had three shots, two on goal, and Stager had three shots, one on goal. Ebony Wyse (Lewis Center, OH / Olentangy) led the team in ground balls with three, and Stager tallied a team-high five draw controls.
Goalkeeper Makenna Ricketts (Chardon, OH / Chardon) collected 13 saves on the day, a career-high for the sophomore.
With the loss, Wittenberg goes to 0-1 on the season, while Ohio Northern improves to 2-1 overall.
Team Comparison
- Wittenberg had 3 goals, one assist, 12 shots, six on goal, 19 ground balls, and seven draw controls. The Tigers also had nine fouls and 34 turnovers.
- Ohio Northern had 15 shots, eight assists, 42 shots, 28 on goal, 29 ground balls, and 13 draw controls. ONU was one-for-five in free-position shots and committed 20 turnovers.
Up Next
The Tigers will travel to Marietta for a 7 p.m. match on Feb. 24.
Written By: Cindy Holbrook