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Wooster's Tom Herold withstands a check from an Otterbein defender as he looks to |
WOOSTER, Ohio – A six-goal scoring run spanning parts of the second and third quarter proved to be the difference, as The College of Wooster built a commanding lead and then fended off Otterbein University's late comeback bid, en route to a 13-11 victory over the reigning Ohio Athletic Conference champions on Wednesday evening under the lights at John P. Papp Stadium
Wooster (5-1) and Otterbein (3-2) traded goals in the truest sense early on, as the teams matched each other score-for-score for the first 10 goals of the game. The last tally of that series came when Ian Brim delivered a sharp pass to Pat Henderson from behind the cage, and the latter rifled a shot past the goalkeeper to knot the score for the fifth time at 5-5.
Henderson's goal was the start of a decisive stretch for the Scots, as they scored six consecutive times to take a lead they would not relinquish. The next Wooster goal came just a minute later, as PJ Dallman brought the ball all the way up field, from the defensive end into the attacking area, and then assisted on a Tom Herold score from about 15 yards out, which put the Scots up 6-5 at the break.
Wooster tacked on three more goals just 3:36 into the third quarter, with Josh Herold and Pat McKay each scoring on Polak helpers, and then once more on a low shot from Nate Weltman that went through the 'keepers legs, that extended its lead to four goals (9-5).
Finally, Brim capped off the Scots' run by burying a shot in the bottom corner of the net, giving them a seemingly comfortable 10-5 lead with 5:38 remaining the third stanza.
Otterbein made things interesting, though, as it scored six of the game's last nine goals, but Wooster did enough on both ends of the field to hang on. One exciting play came midway through the fourth quarter, when an Otterbein shot attempt clanged off the post, which the Scots scooped up and turned into a quick, coast-to-coast transition goal from Dan Gorzynski.
Wooster goalkeeper Ben Grombala made nine saves, with four coming during the game's final 3:30 when Otterbein was making its late offensive push. He also scooped up a game-high eight groundballs, many which he collected after his defenders forced turnovers around the crease.
Speaking of turnovers, the Scots' defense caused 15, including three apiece from Robert Friedhoff and Gorzynski.
Offensively, McKay notched his third hat trick of the season, while Henderson, Tom Herold, and Weltman each produced a pair of goals in the victory.
Wooster, winners of five straight, will look to keep it rolling Saturday when it hosts North Coast Athletic Conference foe Hiram College (2-3, 0-1 NCAC) at 1 p.m.