Lauren Abbott

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster field hockey team rallied back from a two-goal deficit to send a crucial North Coast Athletic Contest into overtime, but Denison University scored the game-winner 58 ticks into the extra stanza for a 4-3 win on Wednesday afternoon at John P. Papp Stadium.

Wooster (8-10, 6-7 NCAC) tied the game at three with just over a minute remaining in regulation. Senior Kayla O'Connor, who scored the game-winner in Saturday's double overtime triumph, provided the late game tally for her eighth goal of the year. On that play, Denison's (13-4, 10-3 NCAC) 'keeper played a long pass from outside the arc off of her pad, and Wooster swarmed in for a 3-on-1 situation with Kerry O'Connor working the ball to her twin sister, who put it away.

Denison's Lucy Pearsall won it in the extra stanza moments later, for her second goal of the contest.

Wooster's Lauren Abbott staked her team to an early 1-0 advantage in the game's third minute. The junior's initial point-blank shot was turned aside by a spectacular save by Denison's Ellen Westfall, but Abbott stuck with the play, and finished on the rebound for her fifth goal of the season.

Denison knocked in the equalizer just over 2:30 later when the Big Red's Charlotte Happel found Abby Martone on a perfect cross. Denison's surge was aided by an intercepted pass deep in Wooster's end.

Just before the half, Denison took its first lead of the night with Pearsall ripping a shot the banged off the post before taking a weird bounce and deflecting into the cage. The goal marked Pearsall's 11th of the season.

About 12 minutes into the second half, Denison extended its lead to two. Sophomore Lida LeVine made two key saves, but the Big Red's persistence up front proved the be the difference as Denison prevented Wooster from having a good look at a clear before Happel sent a shot past LeVine.

Next, Wooster pulled within one with just over 13 minutes remaining. On that play, senior Rachel Wetzel passed out her team-leading seventh assist of the season, while classmate Kerry O'Connor finished in front of the cage for her 10th goal of the season, marking the first Scot in double-digits since Taylor Thorp had 12 during the 2013 season.

Notable, LeVine kept Wooster competitive on the afternoon with 11 saves, as the Big Red's defense really clamped down and only allowed five shots attempts in the game.

Next, Wooster travels to Oberlin College (1-15, 1-12 NCAC) for an 11 a.m. contest on Saturday.