Matt Ranck

WOOSTER, Ohio – Denison University jumped out to a 9-0 lead and never looked back, as the nationally-ranked Big Red stormed past The College of Wooster 15-5 on Saturday afternoon in a North Coast Athletic Conference men's lacrosse match-up at John P. Papp Stadium.

The Big Red (7-0, 1-0 NCAC) came into the game ranked ninth in the latest United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association coaches' poll, and they looked every bit the part, as the steadily built a 9-0 cushion just past the midway point in the second quarter.

With 2:29 remaining in the half, Tom Herold took a feed from Jake Bernard and beat the 'keeper to put the Scots (4-5, 0-1 NCAC) on the scoreboard.

Trailing 13-1 late in the third quarter, Matt Ranck scored on an Eric Johnson assist, and then Ranck added another two goals in the fourth quarter, to tally his sixth hat trick of the season.

Eric Johnson scored one of Wooster's three man-up goals with 0:22 seconds in regulation, giving the Scots a 3-2 scoring advantage over the Big Red in the final stanza.

Denison was successful on 17-of-23 face-offs, and was a perfect 20-for-20 on clear attempts.

Individually, Ranck paced Wooster with three goals and an assist. Harold and Johnson accounted for the Scots' other two scores, while Mike Perrino, Jake Bernard, and Johnson each dished out an assist.

Eight different Denison players accounted for goals, with Eddie Vita's five leading the way.

The Scots will look to bounce back when they host St. Vincent College Wednesday at 4 p.m.