Denison first-year Catie Merrick (Owings Mills, Md./Garrison Forest) broke a 2-2 tie with just over three minutes to play in regulation resulting in a 3-2 season-opening victory for the Big Red over North Coast Athletic Conference rival, Wittenberg on Tuesday afternoon from Springfield, Ohio.

Merrick and five of her classmates shook off their first game jitters and ended up accounting for all three of the team's goals.  Wittenberg took an early 1-0 lead in the first half but the Big Red bounced back to tie the score at 1-1. Just before halftime the Tigers scored again to take a 2-1 lead into the intermission.

The second half would be dominated by the Big Red's aggressive offense which was spearheaded by senior Kristen Schneider (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington).  DU attempted 11 penalty corners over the final 35 minutes and outshot Wittenberg 8-2.  The Big Red's first two goals of the game were scored by first-year's Katie Couyoumjian (Ann Arbor, Mich./Greenhills) and Devon Satnick (Norwalk, Conn./Brien McMahon).  Merrick, who took two shots off the bench, would seal up the game-winner with three minutes to play.

The victory snapped a six-game losing skid to Wittenberg that dated back to 2005.  Freshman goalkeeper Brittany Benson (Wilmette, Ill./New Trier) recorded three saves and allowed two goals in 70 minutes of work.

Overall, DU outshot Wittenberg 11-9 and out-cornered them 14-6.  Wittenberg goalies Liana Began and Jenny Schaafsma combined for six saves.

The Big Red improves to 1-0 overall and 1-0 in NCAC play.  Their next games will be on the road this weekend in Lynchburg, Va. where they will take on Roanoke College on Saturday at 1 p.m.  On Sunday (Sept. 6) they will return to challenge the host, Hornets at 1 p.m.