SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – Wittenberg University (5-9, 5-2 NCAC) made a first quarter goal stand up as they downed the Washington & Jefferson College field hockey team (5-8, 3-4 NCAC) by a 1-0 score Sunday morning in a North Coast Athletic Conference game at Edwards-Maurer Field in Ohio.  

The host Tigers came out strong in the opening quarter. Wittenberg registered five shots and three penalty corners over the first 15 minutes. Wittenberg capitalized off the early momentum, gaining a goal by Londyn McCoy from close range just 9:12 into the game.

Trailing for much of the day, W&J battled to keep the deficit at a single tally. However, offensive opportunities were hard to come by.

Both of W&J's best scoring chances came during the second half. Midway through the third quarter, a strong run up the field and play into the circle by Capriana Romano (Peters Township, Pa./Peters Township) helped set up a strike from out top on cage by Lindsey Blount (Lockport, N.Y./Starpoint).

The other best chance came in the final minute of play when Lily Giering (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township) stole the ball in the center of the field and had a one-on-one chance with the Wittenberg goalie. However, Giering sent the shot wide of the cage.

Grace Erhard (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) started and made four saves during her 60 minutes in goal. The Presidents' back line, which included strong defensive plays by Jessica Nakanishi (Susanville, Calif./Lassen) and Riley Dortenzo (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg), held up strong throughout the game to give W&J a chance to net the equalizer.

Wittenberg held a 9-2 shot advantage (5-1 shots on goal) and a favorable 4-1 margin in penalty corners.

W&J returns home to face Denison University on Wednesday, Oct. 22. The game will be the final home contest of the season for the Presidents. Start time at Cameron Stadium is scheduled for 4 p.m.