Joining the Tigers in the traditionally outstanding field are two of the Ohio Athletic Conference’s most consistent programs, Otterbein College and Ohio Northern University, and NAIA powerhouse Ohio Dominican. Action gets under way on Saturday, September 1 with a game between Wittenberg and Ohio Northern at 1 p.m., followed by a contest between Ohio Dominican and Otterbein at 4 p.m. On Sunday, September 2, Ohio Northern and Ohio Dominican square off at 1 p.m. and Otterbein and Wittenberg renew acquaintances at 3 p.m.

Coming off a 10-7-1 season in 2000, the host Tigers return nine starters this year, led by third-team All-Great Lakes Region defensive back Josh Curtis (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman). Wittenberg lost both games in last year’s invitational — 3-0 to Heidelberg College and 2-1 in overtime to Otterbein — but the Tigers still have compiled a sparkling 15-7-2 record in the competition since it was introduced in 1987.

Wittenberg is led again in 2001 by Head Coach Steve Dawson, who has been at the helm for 19 of the last 20 years. His career record of 190-123-15 ranks him 37th in victories among active men’s soccer coaches in NCAA Division III. He ranks 51st all-time among NCAA Division III men’s soccer coaches in terms of victories, and he is on the verge of becoming the 44th coach to win 200 career games.

Otterbein will be making its fourth straight appearance in the Wittenberg Men’s Soccer Invitational. Last year, the Cardinals split their games in the competition, defeating the host team but losing to Ohio Dominican en route to a 13-5 overall record for the 2000 season. Ohio Dominican is back for a second straight year after winning both games in 2000 and going on to a 14-5-2 overall record and an American Mideast Conference championship. Ohio Northern, which went 16-5 overall in 2000 and won a share of the OAC regular season crown, is making its first appearance in the Wittenberg Men’s Soccer Invitational.

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