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ADA, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers had run through an early season gauntlet of tough competition, but on a bright, sunny September afternoon in tiny Ada, Ohio, they finally met their match. Despite outshooting the host Polar Bears 15-9, Wittenberg dropped its first game of the 2008 season by a 2-1 score.
Wittenberg, ranked No. 7 in the latest NSCAA poll, dropped to 4-1-2 overall on the season, while Ohio Northern improved to 4-2-1.
ONU struck for a goal in the first half and another in the second to build what turned out to be an insurmountable lead. The Tigers got one back with less than 25 minutes remaining as junior forward Sara Pirozzi (Akron, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy) scored off a cross from senior defender Lauren Johnson (Huntsville, Ala./Hilliard Davidson).
But despite holding the aforementioned six-shot advantage and attempting five more corner kicks than the Polar Bears, the Tigers couldn't get the equalizer. ONU's goalkeeper came up with seven saves in the game, compared to three for Wittenberg senior netminder Jordan Bamberger (Solon, Ohio/Solon).
Wittenberg has a chance to right the ship almost immediately as the Tigers head back into action Saturday at Wilmington. Start time for that game is 7 p.m.