Taylor Thorp

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster field hockey team scored less than 10 minutes into Saturday's action, however, Wittenberg University's strong start to the second half turned out to be the difference as the Tigers triumphed 2-1 in the North Coast Athletic Conference archrivals' match-up on Andrew Turf Field at John P. Papp Stadium.

Early on, Wooster (1-3, 1-1 NCAC) was building on the momentum from Wednesday when it won its conference opener with a late goal in regulation. The Fighting Scots controlled possession the majority of the time and the offensive pressure paid off, as Taylor Thorp dribbled into the circle on the left side and beat the 'keeper with a shot inside the left post 8:41 into the action. For Thorp, a senior and the team's top scorer a season ago, it marked her first goal this fall.

Wooster had a few more scoring opportunities, including two penalty corners in the first half, but was unable to expand its lead.

Wittenberg (2-3, 1-0 NCAC), in spite of a yellow card at the end of the first half, came out with renewed energy in the second. The Tigers attempted three shots within the opening three minutes, with the third finding its mark – a rebound goal for Carlijn Van Den Berg.

While Van Den Berg did not get credit for the next score, she played a key role in it, crossing the ball right-to-left into the circle to Kim Loofbourrow, who continued the ball's path left where Beth Warning touched it inside the left post.

There was still 21:25 remaining and the Scots nearly netted the equalizer right away, as they earned three penalty corners within three minutes of Wittenberg's go-ahead goal. Wooster attempted six corners in all during the second half and its closest conversion came when Anjela Galimberti slapped a drive just right of the cage with about five minutes left.

Statistically, the teams ended with matching shot totals of 12 and each goalie – the Scots' Carrie Mount and the Tigers' Laura Jansing – tallied four saves.

Wooster will be right back in action on Sunday at 1 p.m., hosting Transylvania University (1-3).