Tigers Hang On For 5-4 Victory At Transylvania

Paige Vanerstrom's hat trick sparks Wittenberg to win in 2014 non-conference finale.

Carlijn van den Berg and the Tigers held on for a 5-4 win at Transylvania. File Photo | Erin Pence
Carlijn van den Berg and the Tigers held on for a 5-4 win at Transylvania. File Photo | Erin Pence
October 15, 2014
Box Score

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Wittenberg Tigers built a 5-1 lead in the second half and then withstood a furious Transylvania rally en route to a 5-4 non-conference victory.

The win pushed Wittenberg's overall record back over .500 at 8-7. The game was the Tigers' final tune-up before a season-ending four-game push that starts with a home game against Kenyon at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18.

The Tigers scored two goals in the game's first 15 minutes and held a 3-1 advantage by halftime thanks to goals by seniors Megan Loofbourrow (Prospect, Ky./Ballard) and Kelly McLean (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook South) and junior Paige Vanerstrom (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny). Wittenberg pushed the lead to four goals in the first nine minutes of the second half as Vanerstrom scored two more goals.

Vanerstrom also assisted on McLean's goal, while Loofbourrow was credited with the helper on Vanerstrom's first-half tally.

Transylvania responded with three goals over the final 8:41, including a score in the final seconds to pull within one on the scoreboard.

Wittenberg held a 19-7 advantage in shots in the game, including a margin of 12-3 in the second half alone. However, the Tigers attempted just one penalty corner in the entire game, compared to three for Transylvania.

Loofbourrow, Vanerstrom, freshman Riley Trexler (Louisville, Ky./Atherton) and senior Beth Warning (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) each were credited with three shots in the game to lead the Tigers.

Written By: Ryan Maurer