WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster field hockey team couldn't overcome a quick goal at the start of each half during a 6-2 setback against Wittenberg University on Saturday afternoon at John P. Papp Stadium.

Wittenberg's (10-3, 7-2 North Coast Athletic Conference) Channa Visseren knocked in the game's first goal :47 into the contest as the Tigers converted on an early penalty corner. Ten minutes later, Veerle van der Plas doubled the lead on a finish on a loose ball that squired through to the first-year.

In the 23rd-minute Wooster (8-6, 5-5 NCAC) 'keeper Lida LeVine made a pair of nice saves off a Tigers' penalty corner, but Audrey Coler knocked in the second rebound to make it 3-0.

Wooster converted on its first substantial threat with under five minutes to go in the opening half. On the goal, first-year Kristina Miesel snuck in behind Wittenberg's defense, and had Tiger 'keeper Allie Purvis out of position. A heads-up cross from junior Rose Taylor led to an easy finish by Miesel to make it 3-1.

Junior Erika Womack upped her team lead in goals to eight and made a big defensive save in the second half.

In the second half junior Maeven Barry worked the ball down the far sideline and crossed it into the middle where junior Erika Womack knocked in her team-leading eighth goal of the season to cap the day's scoring in the 52nd minute.

Womack had an equally as impressive play on the defensive side of the field in the second half. In the 42nd minute, Donnelly appeared to have a clear path to the cage, but Wooster's speedy junior slid in for the defensive save and LeVine knocked aside the ensuring rebound chance.

 Similar to the first half, Wittenberg connected quickly as Coler received a feed from Maddie Goelz before the stanza was two minutes old, spun around, and scored her second goal of the game. Under two minutes later, Visseren gound the back of the cage again with a one-timer from just inside the circle. Later, Blaine Donnelly cleaned up on a loose ball in front of the cage in the 46th minute to round out the Tigers' scores.

For the game LeVine turned aside 10 shots, including one on a penalty stroke by Zara Tickner in the 27th minute.

Wittenberg finished with a 26-11 edge on shots and a 9-6 advantage on penalty corners.

Next, Wooster hosts Washington & Jefferson College (8-3) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.