Dragons clinch G-MAC regular season title with 4-1 victory

Tiffin University locked up its second consecutive G-MAC regular season championship with a 4-1 win over Northwood.
Tiffin University locked up its second consecutive G-MAC regular season championship with a 4-1 win over Northwood.

Tiffin University (11-2-2, 10-1-2 G-MAC) clinched its second consecutive regular season G-MAC championship with a 4-1 win over Northwood.

The title also marks Tiffin's third regular season crown in the six seasons the Dragons have been G-MAC members.

The game was a narrow defensive battle until the second half. Though the Dragons held a 10-4 first-half shot advantage, neither team found the back of the net until Tiffin's Jahzihno O'Garro took a two-touch pass from Noah Purtz and Chewe Mukuka in the 48th minute to put TU ahead 1-0.

Northwood equalized less than a minute later on a goal by Adrian Lekocaj, but the Dragons wasted little time answering as Purtz took a pass from O'Garro and scored just 64 seconds later to put TU ahead to stay 2-1.

The Dragons' defense was once again exceptional, allowing just one shot on goal in the game. TU kept up the attack, eventually totaling an 18-9 shot edge.

Malvin Gblah gave TU a much-needed insurance goal in the 83rd minute with an unassisted goal, and Ian Fierro finished off the scoring with another solo goal in the 87th minute.

Felix Graf got the win in goal, making no saves over 90 minutes to improve to 9-2 on the season.

Tiffin has one game remaining in its regular season, taking on Findlay on Oct. 31 on Senior Day. They will then host the G-MAC Quarterfinals on Nov. 4 at 1 pm.