Potential Tying Shot Goes Wide, as Wooster Falls to Whittier 10-9

The College of Wooster attempted a shot with three seconds remaining to send Sunday's game with Whittier College into overtime, but it went wide as the visiting Poets hung on for a 10-9 non-league win in men's lacrosse action at Andrew Field at John P. Papp Stadium.

Wooster (8-7) fell behind 10-8 shortly after the game restarted following a lightning delay at the 7:53 mark of the fourth quarter. Then, Dan MacVarish, one of five seniors making their final home appearance, pulled the Fighting Scots back within one by netting a goal, assisted by Alex Mies, with 3:51 remaining.

With the rain pouring down, Wooster's Matt Pullara won the ensuing face-off, and about 45 seconds later, MacVarish had a good look, only to see Whittier goalkeeper Robert Bazlen come up with a big save. The Poets attempted to run out the clock, but a turnover with 53 seconds on the clock gave the Scots one last chance.

Wooster successfully cleared the ball to the offensive end and even picked up a Whittier penalty in the process. With a man-up opportunity and about 30 seconds remaining, the Scots worked the ball around, but couldn't find an opening and the lone attempt sailed wide with just :03 on the clock.

Wooster's Pat Coyne scored 31 seconds into the action, but that would be its only lead. The Poets scored three goals during the middle of the first quarter and were ahead 3-2 at the end of one.

The two squads exchanged goals during the first minute of the second quarter before Whittier went on a three-goal run for its biggest lead of the day at 7-3. The Scots ended the half with three unanswered of their own, trimming the margin to one (7-6).

Both defenses buckled down during the third, as the Poets maintained their one-goal advantage at 8-7.

Pullara tied it up about a minute into the fourth, however, Whittier retook the lead midway through the quarter and moments before the first lightning in the area.

Leading the way for Wooster was Mies with a five-point outing coming on one goal and four assists, while Casey McGann, Pullara, and Joe Sulliman connected on two goals apiece. Also of note, Pullara won 16-of-20 face-offs.

The Scots will close out their season on Saturday at North Coast Athletic Conference foe KenyonKenyon College (5-7, 0-3 NCAC).