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| Ben Grombala |
WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster's defense held No. 4 Ohio Wesleyan University's high-powered attack in check for the most part on Saturday afternoon at John P. Papp Stadium, but the nationally-ranked and undefeated Battling Bishops still scored enough to emerge with a 13-6 win that gave them the North Coast Athletic Conference championship outright at a sunny and warm John P. Papp Stadium.
Ohio Wesleyan (14-0, 8-0 NCAC), which had been averaging nearly 17 goals (16.5), was limited to six scores during the opening half, thanks to a strong effort from Wooster (9-6, 3-4 NCAC) on the defensive side, keyed by goalkeeper Ben Grombala as he tallied nine saves.
Unfortunately for the Fighting Scots, their offense could not get on track as several unforced turnovers proved to be costly, and they trailed 6-0 at the halftime break.
Wooster played the Bishops to a near draw during the second, netting six goals – two by Pat Henderson and one each from long-stick Jack Gilio, Josh Herold, Matt Parmelee, and Nate Weltman – but Ohio Wesleyan stayed in front throughout and clinched the victory.
Grombala, who finished with 14 total saves, was one of eight seniors making their final home appearance as he was recognized in a pre-game ceremony along with midfielder Evan Albertson, defensive short-stick middie PJ Dallman, defender Robert Friedhoff, Henderson, defender Sean Hohan, attacker Tom Herold, face-off specialist Max Rubin.
The Scots will close out the 2015 campaign on Monday when they travel to Denison University (11-3, 6-1 NCAC) to complete a game from earlier this season that was suspended due to lightning.