Wittenberg field hockey players celebrate a Sept. 12 overtime win over Kenyon.

Springfield, Ohio — With a five-game North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) winning streak on the line for the Tiger field hockey team, a friend of the university has extended a challenge to Wittenberg students.

If at least 400 students attend the Tigers' key NCAC game against Ohio Wesleyan, which is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at historic Edwards-Maurer Field, the friend of the team will make a $500 donation to the university's Department of Athletics and Recreation. Originally presented prior to the Saturday, Oct. 10 game versus Wooster, the challenge has been reissued to the student body, aiming to fill the stands and create a boisterous atmosphere to support the Tigers, winners of five straight NCAC games since a 7-2 loss at Wooster on Sept. 19.

Overall, Wittenberg stands 8-3 overall and 6-2 in the NCAC midway through the 2009 season. The Tigers have hit their stride in recent weeks, shutting out their last four NCAC opponents behind sophomore goalkeeper Jenny Schaafsma, class of 2012 from Grand Rapids, Mich. Their only loss in the last six games came against No. 2 ranked Salisbury on Sept. 26.

The Tiger offense is paced by juniors Boo Vernon, class of 2011 from Lake Bluff, Ill., and Tori Casanta, class of 2011 from Mason, Ohio. Vernon scored the 50th goal of her illustrious collegiate career in a 3-0 win over Denison on Oct. 7, and she currently ranks second in school history in career goals. Casanta stands fourth on the list with 46 career goals. Vernon also has 18 career assists, while Casanta has 18 – combined they have 230 career points.

Ohio wesleyan is 7-6 overall and 5-4 in the NCAC, with a 3-2 record in their last five games after starting the season 4-4.

Written by: Ryan Maurer

Related Links: Wittenberg Field Hockey Home Page