Wittenberg Defense Falters in 4-1 Loss to Kenyon

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The steady drizzle and fog that enshrouded Bill Edwards Field on Tuesday matched the mood on the Wittenberg Tigers bench by game's end as the visiting Kenyon Ladies captured a hard-fought 4-1 victory. The loss dropped the Tigers into a tie with Kenyon in the North Coast Athletic Conference standings at 3-2. Wittenberg is 9-2-4 overall, while Kenyon is now 9-5-1 overall. Both remain very much in the hunt for the 2004 NCAC Tournament with three games remaining.

Kenyon jumped on top less than minute into the game as Annie Brobst slipped one past Tiger freshman goalkeeper Meghan O'Rourke, who was playing her first game since going down with a back injury against Ohio Wesleyan on Oct. 9. Wittenberg tied the game, however, with a goal in the 36th minute of the first half by freshman forward Amanda Farrell, off a feed from freshman midfielder Lisa Rusch.

In the second half, Kenyon got the go-ahead goal at the 53:45 mark as a Tiger defensive breakdown allowed Brobst to break in on O'Rourke and score. The Ladies got a goal three minutes later on a penalty kick and then added an insurance goal in the 66th minute to wrap things up. Wittenberg did have its chances, but two golden second-half opportunities hit the post and another sailed just over the goal. The shots in the game were even at 18 apiece, while Wittenberg held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.

Wittenberg can still control its own destiny, but at least two wins in the final three games are essential. Next up is Hiram at 3 p.m. Saturday. The Homecoming Weekend game will follow the men's contest against Oberlin at 12:30 p.m.