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| Liam Coll |
WOOSTER, Ohio – A three-goal splurge during the last four minutes of the third quarter allowed The College of Wooster to take a commanding 8-3 lead into the fourth quarter and the Fighting Scots went on to a 9-5 victory over Otterbein University Wednesday night on Andrew Turf Field at John P. Papp Stadium.
Wooster (5-3) seemed to be getting the better of Otterbein (5-4) throughout, but was ahead just 5-3 towards the tail end of the third. The Scots' key three-goal run began when they took advantage of a man-up opportunity as Matt Ranck scored at the 3:54 mark after it appeared his initial shot was saved.
Less than two minutes later, another scramble in front of the Cardinals net resulted in a Ranck-to-Harry Kemp goal. Wooster won the ensuing face-off and tacked on another score when Jake Bernard got an inside lane towards the cage and beat the 'keeper for an 8-3 cushion with :52 remaining.
While Otterbein outscored the Scots in the fourth quarter 2-1, the visitors never threatened to take the lead.
During the first half, Wooster overcame an early 1-0 deficit, accounting for five of the next six scores, including two over the final three minutes for a 5-2 advantage.
Ranck led the Scots offensively with three goals, his third hat trick of the season, and one assist, while PJ Dallman and Kemp tallied two goals apiece and Liam Coll notched two assists.
Defensively, Matt Magoon played a key role in the win, netting 10 saves, seven coming in the opening half, and John McCarthy was credited with four caused turnovers.
Wooster returns to North Coast Athletic Conference action Saturday, traveling to winless DePauw University (0-8, 0-2 NCAC).