Tiger Field Hockey Falls To OWU In Battle For First Place

DELAWARE, OH - Preseason North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) favorite Ohio Wesleyan scored in the first minute and then tacked on two more goals in the span of less than a minute early in the second quarter to take control of a battle for first place in the league standings. The Battling Bishops kept up the pressure en route to a 3-0 victory over the visiting Wittenberg Tigers.

Wittenberg had recorded two straight shutouts coming into the game and seven shutouts in 12 games overall on the season. But Ohio Wesleyan pierced the Tigers' defense for goals in the first minute, 17th minute, and 18th minute to build an insurmountable advantage. Wittenberg has allowed just 11 goals all season, with six of them coming in losses to NCAC co-leaders Denison and Ohio Wesleyan.

The loss dropped the Tigers to 11-2 overall and 8-2 in the league, good for a third-place tie with DePauw. By virtue of Wittenberg's 3-1 over DePauw earlier in the season, the Tigers will enter the NCAC Tournament as the No. 3 seed.

Wittenberg's opponent in the NCAC Tournament semifinals on Wednesday, November 6, will either be Denison or Ohio Wesleyan. Both teams have one game remaining in the regular season. If they tie for first place, Denison will be the No. 2 seed in the NCAC Tournament and will host the Tigers in the semifinals.

Ohio Wesleyan held a 21-2 advantage in shots and a 7-2 edge in penalty corners in the game. Lucy Ripepi (Lakewood, OH/Magnificat) had both of Wittenberg's shots, although neither was directed on target.

Caitlin Archdeacon (Saratoga, CA/Westmont) came up with eight saves in goal for the Tigers.