Meredith Farley

WOOSTER, Ohio – A Kerry O'Connor goal during the second half was all The College of Wooster field hockey team needed, thanks to a standout defensive performance against Ohio Wesleyan University, which allowed the Fighting Scots to take the important North Coast Athletic Conference match-up 1-0 Wednesday afternoon on Andrew Turf Field at John P. Papp Stadium.

With the two teams jockeying for a top-four conference finish, and with it, a berth in the fast-approaching NCAC Tournament, Wooster (6-6, 4-4 NCAC) and Ohio Wesleyan (5-7, 3-6 NCAC) went up-and-down the field during the first half, battling for possession. While the Battling Bishops did attempt six shots, only two were on target, with Fighting Scot 'keeper Meredith Farley easily kicking each one away, and they went into the halftime break scoreless.

An early defensive save by Josie Rey in the second preserved the shutout, then Wooster started to assert itself offensively. The Scots earned five penalty corners during a 15-minute stretch to no avail, and shortly thereafter, Taylor Thorp sent a through pass to O'Connor inside the circle and the latter calmly slid the ball past the goalie and inside the right post for the lead.

Wooster's defense easily made the lead hold up during the final 14:46, as Ohio Wesleyan only managed one shot and it was wide. Farley finished with four saves, but she was rarely challenged thanks to the back line play of Rey, Julia Franceschi, Anjela Galimberti, Laura Kummer, and others.

The Scots have another key conference game at home this Saturday, as they welcome archrival Wittenberg University (5-8, 3-5 NCAC) for a 1 p.m. match-up.