Mike Waring
Wittenberg University added a key member to the athletic staff in hopes of continuing the Tiger athletic excellence.
Back in September, the Tigers men’s lacrosse program hired a new head coach.
Jay Owen comes from Salisbury University in Maryland, a Division III lacrosse powerhouse. He was a player from 1994-97 and continued as an assistant coach for much of the last 15 years.
He also played on teams that won two national championships and three conference titles, Owen served as an assistant coach for Salisbury teams that won nine Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) championships and five NCAA Division III national titles between 1999 and 2007.
“It comes down to competing in practice every day,” Owen said about building a winning program.
He wants to continue to build the winning tradition of Wittenberg and make Tiger lacrosse nationally known as one of the top programs in the country.
The Tigers, according to Owen, will be a very high tempo team on the turf.
“We’re going to shoot the ball 40-45 times a game, with a quick sliding defense, not many teams are like that so it gives opponents something else to prepare for, but most of all it is fun,” says Owen.
The Tigers will look to three players this year to lead them and to return to the top of the NCAC.
The three captains are Jordan Shoger, Jack Bornhofen, and Nick Bergenty.
Coach Owen was pleased by their leadership in the offseason, and felt the players looked like they were in great shape, and they continue to work hard in the days leading up to the opener.
Shoger was fifth in points last year, notching 20 goals and two assists. He had four goals in three different contests last year.
Bornhofen missed a large amount of the season due to Tommy John surgery. He played in seven games, started two and tallied three goals. Having Borhofen back will be a huge asset to the team.
Finally, Bergenty, who plays defense, is a wall on the back end. Defensemen do not accumulate many stats, but when you watch Bergenty play, he sticks out. He is a big body that is a great shutdown defender.
The Tigers will start their season against Sewanee on February 22 in Nashville.
