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Junior goalkeeper Matt Magoon stretches out |
WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster was within one goal of Ohio Wesleyan University in the closing moments of the second quarter, but the Battling Bishops scored three times right before the halftime break to take a four-goal lead, and ultimately they won by that same margin, 9-5, in a North Coast Athletic Conference men's lacrosse match-up Saturday afternoon at a chilly John P. Papp Stadium.
Despite a competitive first quarter, the Scots (7-4, 2-2 NCAC) trailed on the scoreboard 2-0, and then fell behind by three just 35 seconds into the second quarter. Wooster responded less than a minute later, though, as PJ Dallman scored on an assist from Evan Albertson, and then midway through the quarter, Matt Ranck delivered an unassisted tally that pulled the Scots within one at 3-2.
With just over four minutes remaining before halftime, the Bishops (10-4, 5-0 NCAC) began a mini-scoring run that played a significant factor in the outcome of the game. Colin Short got it started with a goal on an assist from Spencer Schnell, and shortly after, Schnell rifled in a pair of his own goals, including one with just seconds remaining on the clock that gave Ohio Wesleyan a 6-2 cushion at the break.
The Bishops extended their lead to 7-2 early in the third quarter, and maintained a five-point cushion heading into the fourth quarter (8-3), where Wooster made one last push. Dallman and Harry Kemp each beat the 'keeper in the first half of the fourth quarter to bring the Scots within three (8-5), but that was as close as they got, as the Bishops kept them off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
Wooster capitalized on extra-man opportunities throughout the contest, as three of its goals came with a man-up.
Two of those man-up goals came from Kemp, while the other was from Dallman, who tied Kemp for the team-lead with two goals. Also noteworthy, Liam Coll dished out two assists.
Goalkeeper Matt Magoon made 14 saves in the setback.
The Bishops leaned on Schnell, who scored four goals off the bench, while Short chipped in two goals and a helper.
Today was "Senior Day" at the stadium, and prior to the game, the Scots honored their four seniors Steve Crozier, Andrew Holmes, Ranck, and Patrick Schlick.
Wooster will look to get back above .500 in the NCAC standings when it visits Hiram College (1-8, 1-3 NCAC) tomorrow at 1 p.m.