Tigers Open NCAC Play With 3-1 Defeat At Kenyon

GAMBIER, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers opened the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) portion of the 2015 schedule with a 3-1 loss at Kenyon.

Wittenberg fell to 4-4-1 overall on the season, heading into the non-conference finale at Manchester on Tuesday, Sept. 29. Kenyon improved to 7-3-0.

The Tigers and Ladies split a pair of meetings in 2015, starting with a thrilling 1-0 win for Wittenberg on its home turf. Kenyon avenged that decision with a 2-0 win in the NCAC Tournament semifinals.

Kenyon may have won by two goals again, but the final statistics reflect another evenly played contest. Wittenberg held a narrow 18-17 advantage in the final shot count, in addition to a 5-3 edge in corner kick opportunities.

The difference was efficiency. The Ladies directed 12 of their 17 shots on frame, forcing sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Wilson (Pickerington, Ohio/North) into nine saves. Just four of Wittenberg's 18 shots were on target, forcing Kenyon netminder Alissa Poolpol into three saves.

Kenyon scored the lone goal of the first half, which was matched at the 68:30 mark by senior Mackenzie Bolon (Columbus, Ohio/Bexley). Senior Zoe Curry (Milford, Ohio/Ursuline) was credited with the assist.

Kenyon responded immediately, taking the lead back just 1:01 later and tacking on an insurance score on a header in the 80th minute.

Wittenberg's offense was paced by freshman Megan Davis (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Pickerington Central) with four shots, while Bolon added three attempts.

Written By: Ryan Maurer