Strong Second Half Not Enough For Scots in Bexley

BEXLEY, Ohio – The College of Wooster men's lacrosse team scored six second-half goals for the second straight game, but Wednesday evening's post-halftime surge was not enough, with the Fighting Scots falling 11-8 to Capital University at Bernlohr Stadium.

Wooster's (1-2) duo of electric sophomores Vinny DiLeo and Ben Byars connected for the second time this season, with Byars' score with 5:57 remaining pulling the Scots within 11-8. Senior Tyler Schroeder scooped up the groundball on the ensuing faceoff, but Wooster was not able to get a shot away before Capital (1-2) regained possession. Sophomore Paul Chandler did his part to keep it a three-goal affair with a save on Evan Frund's shot with just over three minutes remaining. At the other end, Capital's Sam McInturf was up to the task, stopping Wooster first-year Will Fink, and the Scots' second bid at trimming the deficit to two hit off the pipe.

Senior Ben Kennedy's second goal of the night came 58 ticks into the fourth, and Fink tacked on his second collegiate score with 8:23 remaining that made it a four-goal game. Wooster was within four earlier in the second half, thanks to sophomore Charlie Ballou, who made it 9-5 with 9:46 on the clock. That goal was part of Wooster's third-period-opening three-goal run. Capital, which carried a 9-2 lead into halftime, upped its advantage back to six at the end of the third stanza.

Ballou's four goals led the Scots. He had a big hit on a Comet in the game that resulted in a Capital turnover prior to one of his scores. Schroeder's five groundballs led the team, while Wooster edged out Capital there 21-18.

Brendan Pelton's four goals led the Comets, while Frund was right behind with three. Jack Scharner set up a number of scoring chances, and he was rewarded with four assists.

Chandler posted six saves to two goals against in his half of action. Capital's McInturf was credited with 14 saves on the night.

Capital finished with a 41-40 edge on shots. Wooster won the faceoff battle 12-11, spearheaded by first-year Rory Zahren's 12-of-21 performance.

Next, Albion College (3-0) visits John P. Papp Stadium for a 3 p.m. contest on Saturday, March 5.