Tigers Surprise Host Lynchburg, 10-8

LYNCHBURG, Va. — A year after dropping an 18-13 decision on its home turf, the Wittenberg women's lacrosse team opened a long mid-season road trip with a 10-8 win on Lynchburg's home field.

The win evened the Tigers' record at 2-2, while Lynchburg dropped to 3-2. It was Wittenberg's second straight victory after two Spring Break week losses in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Wittenberg fell behind in the early going for a second straight year, but this time the Tigers never allowed Lynchburg more than a two-goal lead in the first half. Trailing 4-3 at halftime, Wittenberg opened the second half with a 3-1 run. Then after a Lynchburg goal, the Tigers took control with three straight talliesover a five-minute span.

Lynchburg rallied with two goals in less than one minute, but the Tiger defense stiffened. With Lynchburg stymied offensively, sophomore Francine Murzynski (Mentor, Ohio/Lake Catholic) gave the Tigers a much-needed cushion with a goal at the 2:59 mark.

Junior goalkeeper Katie Bondy (Westerville, Ohio/South) made the lead stand up, making a pair of saves in the closing minutes, including one on a free-position shot with the Tigers clinging to a one-goal advantage. Bondy finished with nine saves in the game to go along with a team-high four ground balls.

Bondy shared team honors in the ground ball category with junior Katie Warner (Delaware, Ohio/Olentangy) and senior Jennifer Close (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest), who also found the back of the net twice to go along with an assists and a team-high five caused turnovers. Murczynski also scored twice, while sophomoreAlie Marousek (Pittsburgh, Pa./Portsmouth (NH)) came up big with a goal, three assists, three ground balls and three caused turnovers.