Dan Sabol
The Wittenberg women’s lacrosse team came into the week with a big challenge on hand, two away matches against tough North Coast Athletic Conference opponents with a shot at first place in the conference up for grabs.
Wittenberg entered play with a (4-2) record overall and a (1-0) mark in NCAC competition. The Tigers started off with an April Fools’ Day trip to Kenyon, a team that sported an impressive (6-2) overall record. Last season’s match with Kenyon was an exciting affair that Wittenberg pulled out 15-13, and this year’s contest looked to be no different.
However, the Lady Tigers had no interest in a close match this season, and quickly jumped out to a 5-0 lead before the first half was even halfway finished. Senior Alie Marousek started off the scoring in the fifth minute with a goal on a free position shot, followed closely by another free position goal by junior Logan Warye. Junior Megan Loofbourrow then went on a three goal spurt over the next six minutes that put the Tigers ahead for good. Loofbourrow was assisted by Marousek and freshman Becca Joseph on her first two goals, before finding the net off of a free position shot.
Kenyon responded with three goals in a row before Warye, Loofbourrow, Marousek and senior Francine Murzynski scored four unanswered goals to end the half with a 9-3 Wittenberg lead. Loofbourrow’s goal was assisted by junior Beth Hubbard.
While it looked like the Lady Tigers were comfortably in control at this point, Kenyon opened the second half with a four goal spurt to pull within 9-7, less than three minutes into the half. Wayre and Murzynski responded with two goals each over the next eight minutes, sandwiched around two Kenyon goals to push the lead to 14-9. Marousek, Murzynski and Hubbard finished the scoring for the TIgers, with Marousek assisting on Murzynski’s score. The Tigers finished the match with a 17-12 win that started the week off on a positive note.
Katie Reuter got the win in goal, as she stopped 13 shots on goal, and was backed up by excellent defense. Murzynski, Loofburrow, Warye and Marousek did all the scoring for the Tigers with five, four, four and three goals, respectively. Marousek also led the team with three assists. Senior Mallory Skrobot led the team with four groundballs.
Wittenberg pulled out a double overtime win in spectacular fashion at Allegheny on Saturday. The Tigers fell behind 7-1 in the first half, and it looked like they would lose the first place battle to the Alligators. But, the Tigers bit back in the second half, as they scored five unanswered goals to tie the game. Joseph and Murzynski both scored late goals to force overtime. In the first overtime Marousek and Olivia Lash scored for Wittenberg, and Wayre added a goal in the second overtime to clinch the game for the Tigers.
The Tigers have another pair of NCAC matches ahead of them next week, as the travel to Wooster on Wednesday, April 9, before hosting Hiram on Saturday, April 12.
