Meredith Farley

The College of Wooster scored late in the first half and early in the second to pull within 3-2 of Wesley College, but the Wolverines slid in a late insurance goal for the 4-2 decision Saturday during a neutral-site, non-conference tilt held at Juniata College in New Huntingdon, Pa.

Wooster (0-1) got off to a slow start in its season opener as Wesley's (1-1) Lauren Mears drove in  two goals during the opening 6:04, but the Fighting Scots settled in after that and ended up outshooting the Wolverines 9-6 for the first half.

Even though Wesley made it 3-0 later in the half, Wooster took momentum into the break when Nikki Sever found Kerry O'Connor for a score with just 1:19 on the clock. Sever picked up where she left off last year, when she ranked second in NCAA Div. III with 19 assists.

Just 3:39 into the second, O'Connor added to her strong collegiate debut as the freshman forward found an opening for a second goal. It remained a one-score game for almost the rest of regulation before Wesley sealed the outcome.

Statistically, the Wolverines wound up with a slight shot advantage (17-14), while the Scots produced more penalty corners (10-8). Wooster utilized two goalkeepers, with Carrie Mount getting the start and then Meredith Farley recording eight saves during the second half.

The Scots are right back in action Sunday at Bethany (W. Va.) College.