The Denison University men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to Wittenberg University in their North Coast Athletic Conference opener on Saturday evening at Barclay-Thomsen Field in Granville.

The Big Red held the advantage in all offense categories accept the one that mattered.  DU outshot the Tigers 19-8, held an 8-6 edge in shots on goal, and attempted nine corners compared to five by Wittenberg.

The Tigers scored the only goal of the match in the 22nd minute of action when Spencer Hogue headed in a Robbie Farquar short cross.

Denison had an opportunity to even the match in the opening half.  In the 39th minute, sophomore John Rerucha (Maumee, Ohio/St. John's Jesuit) sent a beautiful cross to the right side of the goal that found the head of junior Chris Olson (Arlington Heights, Ill./Rolling Meadows).  Olson headed the ball right at the net, but a diving Michael Lambeck stopped the shot right at the goal line.  Wittenberg had a chance to double their lead with four minutes left in the first period, but a huge tackle by senior defender Drew Lash (Ballwin, Mo./Whitfield School) erased the scoring opportunity.

Early in the second frame Lash uncorked a free kick that once again found the head of Olson, however, Lambeck was able to punch the header over the crossbar.  DU's last quality scoring chance came in the 78th minute when junior Preston Wagner (Toronto, Ontario/TASIS American School) weaved through the Tiger defense and ripped a shot toward the net.  Unfortunately, the potential game-tying tally was pushed just wide left of the goal.

Senior Ish Ghodbane (St. Louis, Mo./Ladue Horton Watkins) paced the Denison attack with seven shots, including three on goal, while Olson finished with four shots, all on net.  First-year keeper John Huddleston (Ballwin, Mo./St. Louis University) made four saves, while Lambeck stopped eight shots.

Denison falls to 3-5 overall and 0-1 in the NCAC, while Wittenberg improves to 4-4-2 on the season and 1-0 in league play.  The Big Red returns to action on Tuesday (Sept. 28) when they travel to Capital University.  Match time is slated for 5 p.m.