Scots Stunned in Closing Minutes Against Lords

WOOSTER, Ohio – There was heartbreak at John P. Papp Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, as Kenyon College scored twice in the final 1:56 to come back and top The College of Wooster men's lacrosse team 8-7.

Wooster (5-8, 3-3 North Coast Athletic Conference) scored three straight times to take a 7-6 lead in the fourth period. Two of the Scots' goals came in transition. First, the long-stick crew was represented in the scoring column, thanks to first-year Bill Holtzer's second goal of the year at 13:36. Senior Tyler Schroeder's downfield pass helped set up that score.

Next, first-year Will Fink's drive to the goal resulted in his 12th score of the year. Later, sophomore Vinny DiLeo hit 20 assists for the year, when his pass in transition found sophomore Charlie Ballou, who was one-on-one with Kenyon (10-3, 5-1 NCAC) goalkeeper Mayo Amorello. Ballou had the upper hand, and his 26th goal of the year put Wooster up 7-6 with 3:06 to go.

Kenyon's Jack Giuffre tied the game at seven with 1:56 on the clock, and Joe Bolea scored the game-winner at the :44 mark. Wooster had a chance to tie the game after Bolea's go-ahead score, as sophomore Jimmy Fisher won the faceoff and scooped up the groundball. Kenyon's Jack Napper had the game-clinching caused turnover, with Bolea following up with the groundball.

Wooster led 4-3 at halftime, in part to DiLeo, who joined the 20-20 club during the game. He scored twice in the first half, while Fink and Ballou tallied the other goals. The third period was the difference, with Kenyon outscoring Wooster 3-0. Bolea's lucky goal with 4:43 remaining in the period started the stretch. He scored from 60 yards out, as the net was empty on a clear attempt.

Sophomore Casey Steffen had a big day defensively with a team-leading six groundballs and three caused turnovers. Ballou, Fisher, and Schroeder were active as well with four groundballs apiece, while Ballou, DiLeo, and Fink all scored twice.

Giuffre's three goals led Kenyon, while Bolea added seven groundballs to his line. Kern Byrnes had three of Kenyon's 13 caused turnovers.

Amorello had 15 saves and Wooster sophomore Paul Chandler turned aside 14 shots.

Kenyon outshot Wooster 49-28, while the Scots had 38 groundballs to the Lords' 36. Kenyon had a slight 10-9 edge on faceoffs, and the Lords did a good job in transition, keeping the Scots to 21-of-37 on clears, thanks in part to forcing numerous lengthy passes near the end of the 20-second advancement mark.

Next, Wooster's off to archrival Wittenberg University (2-9, 2-3 NCAC) for a 1 p.m. game on Saturday, April 23.