Wittenberg Drops Overtime Heartbreaker To Kenyon

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers opened a new era with an old result Wednesday, dropping a heartbreaking 9-8 overtime decision to visiting Kenyon.

The Tigers dropped to 0-1 on the new season, their first under Head Coach George Harris. Kenyon improved to 2-0 after following up an upset win over Denison with a victory over Wittenberg.

This was a seesaw game throughout, starting with a disputed goal in the first period by Kenyon, which occurred after a penalty on Wittenberg that allowed the Lords to maintain possession of the ball, even after the score was recorded. After the Lords added a second goal, however, the Tigers responded with a pair of goals to force the first of several ties.

In the fourth quarter, the Tigers broke a 6-6 tie with the second goal of the game by Brandon Hulett. That was shortlived, however, as Kenyon scored twice to re-take the lead and then the Lords kept possession of the ball for almost two consecutive minutes. In need of a big play, the Tigers got one when Jonathan Smiley picked up a loose ball and headed upfield. He dished to Travis Moore, who knocked it home to tie the game with just 33 seconds left.

The momentum was shortlived. After a penalty early in the overtime gave the Tigers a valuable man-up situation, Kenyon gained control in its own end and Brad Harvey ran the length of the field almost uncontested before putting the ball past Tigers' netminder Pat Garlock.

Garlock finished with 14 saves in the game as he fielded 33 Kenyon shots, compared to 22 for Wittenberg. The Tigers were led offensively by Cory Windle, who finished with four goals, and Hulett's two tallies. Kenyon was paced by Devin Catlin with three scores.