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| Evan Albertson |
The College of Wooster twice pulled within a goal of Otterbein University during the fourth quarter, only to see the host Cardinals answer each time and hang on for an 8-6 decision during Wednesday's non-conference men's lacrosse match-up at Westerville, Ohio.
Wooster (7-3) was trailing 6-3 entering the fourth, but quickly got back in the game as Evan Albertson scored once and assisted on a Nate Weltman man-up goal to make it a one-goal deficit at the midway point of the quarter.
The Scots continued to put the pressure on Otterbein (4-4), accounting for the game's next three shots, but they were all off the mark, then the Cardinals came down and scored to make it 7-5 with 4:39 left.
Again, Wooster mounted a comeback attempt. Despite losing the ensuing face-off, the Scots eventually gained possession and Pat McKay netted a goal off a feed from Matt Parmelee to bring them within one at the 1:54 mark.
Otterbein managed to win the face-off, which was a key throughout the game as the Cardinals owned a 12-5 edge in that category, and pumped in an empty-netter to clinch the game when Wooster pulled its goalie, desperately trying to force a late turnover.
While the Scots won the fourth quarter, they ultimately may have been done in by a slow start. Otterbein scored three times during the opening 15 minutes while holding Wooster without a shot, and later took a 5-2 lead into halftime.
The teams tallied a single goal apiece during the third quarter.
For the game, Albertson and Weltman paced Wooster's offense, each finishing with two goals and one assist, and Jake Bernard and McKay had matching one-goal, one-assist efforts.
Defensively, Matt Magoon excelled in goal with 13 saves and Sean Hohan stood out with six groundballs.
The Scots return to North Coast Athletic Conference action on Saturday, hosting DePauw University (3-6, 1-1 NCAC) at 1 p.m.