OWU Overcomes Magoon’s Season-High 18 Saves

Matt Magoon
Matt Magoon

Five different players scored and senior goalie Matt Magoon put on another strong performance for The College of Wooster, but Ohio Wesleyan University, among the "others receiving votes" in this week's United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association NCAA Div. III top-20 poll, had enough firepower to overcome the Fighting Scots by a 13-5 count in North Coast Athletic Conference action Friday night at Delaware, Ohio.

Wooster (9-4, 2-3 NCAC) played Ohio Wesleyan (10-2, 5-0 NCAC) to a near draw early on, but a three-goal run spanning the last 34 seconds of the opening quarter and the first 26 seconds of the second proved to be pivotal. Instead of entering the second 15 minutes of play down 1-0, that stretch allowed the Battling Bishops to suddenly build a 4-0 advantage during the opening moments of the second.

The Scots' defense settled back in and Josh Herold put one on the board midway through the second quarter, which kept Wooster within striking distance at halftime as it was 6-1.

A strong third quarter for Ohio Wesleyan put the game out of reach, but the Scots kept battling and split eight goals with the Bishops during the fourth, resulting in the 13-5 final.

Joining Herold, who also had an assist, in the goals column for Wooster were Evan Albertson, PJ Dallman, Tom Herold, and face-off specialist Max Rubin.

Defensively, Magoon managed a season-high 18 saves and also was credited with a team-leading four groundballs.

Casey Helms and John Umbach were the difference makers with five goals apiece for Ohio Wesleyan.

The Scots are at Kenyon College (7-5, 2-2 NCAC) on Wednesday afternoon for a conference game with postseason implications.