Tigers Complete First Shutout Since 2003 Against Hiram

After just missing shutout against Mount St. Joseph, Wittenberg turns the trick against NCAC foe Hiram by 21-0 count.

Joseph Crawford distributed two assists in a 21-0 shutout of Hiram. File Photo | Erin Pence
Joseph Crawford distributed two assists in a 21-0 shutout of Hiram. File Photo | Erin Pence
April 5, 2014
Box Score

HIRAM, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers played nearly 58 minutes of lacrosse without allowing a goal against Mount St. Joseph in a 17-1 victory on April 2. Three days later, the Tigers completed the shutout, holding Hiram without a score in a 21-0 whitewashing.

The win moved Wittenberg to 8-2 overall, and more importantly the Tigers are now 2-1 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) with four games remaining in the 2014 regular season. Hiram, in just its second season as a varsity program, fell to 2-7 overall and 0-3 in the league.

The Tigers took control from the opening face-off, scoring seven times in the first quarter. Wittenberg tacked on five more in the second quarter, five more in the third quarter and four more in the final frame to account for the final margin. The shot count was a whopping 56-7 in favor of Wittenberg, an astounding total considering the fact that the Terriers were awarded 13 man-up opportunities in the game.

The shutout was Wittenberg's first since 2003 against Oberlin.

All three Wittenberg goalies on the roster saw action in the game. For the second straight contest, every healthy player in uniform also saw considerable game action as well.

Offensively, 12 different Tiger players scored in the game, led by senior Jordan Shoger (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights), junior Will Stocker (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) and junior Matt Hugdahl (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) with three goals apiece. Shoger also dished out a game-high three assists, while freshman Joseph Crawford (Arlington, Va./Yorktown) and junior Ryan Spitzer (Lincolnshire, Ill./Stevenson) handed out a pair of helpers.

Spitzer continued his stellar play, winning 13 of his 16 face-offs to go along with a game-high seven ground balls. Freshman David Strahm (Upper Arlington, Ohio/Upper Arlington) added six ground balls and freshman Alex Dankowski (Pickerington, Ohio/North) chipped in with four.