Matt Naticchia

WOOSTER, Ohio – For the second time in as many games, The College of Wooster played well against a nationally-ranked program, as the Fighting Scots were solid on defense and created strong scoring chances against No. 10 DePauw University, but ultimately they were held off the scoreboard, 2-0, Saturday in a North Coast Athletic Conference men's soccer match-up at John P. Papp Stadium

The Scots (2-6-1, 0-2-0 NCAC), who came up one-goal shy against now No. 1 ranked Ohio Wesleyan University last weekend, once again rose to the occasion against a tough challenger, as they were very much in this contest, despite being forced to play a man-down for more than 70 minutes due to an early red card.

DePauw (11-0-1, 2-0-1 NCAC) was held to just four shot attempts in the first half, but Andy Morrison made an impressive individual play on his goal that put the Tigers ahead 1-0 in the 24th minute. Wooster looked to rebound quickly, as George Skelly fired a shot on goal less than a minute later that was saved, and the score remained 1-0 at the break.

About 10 minutes into the second half, DePauw scored an insurance goal that gave it a 2-0 cushion, but from that moment on it was Wooster that generated many of the best looks. Just like it did in the first half, Wooster marched down the field immediately after its opponent scored, and Sheamus Dalton blasted a shot that sailed just over the crossbar.

Later, Aleksi Pelkonen recorded two shot attempts that both required saves, and Adam Hansell was denied on a header by the goalkeeper as well. Finally, in the 83rd minute, Matthew Kelly cut off a DePauw clearance attempt with a strong header that landed in the goal box, and Skelly quickly collected the ball and put a shot on goal that was fended off by a diving 'keeper.

Another highlight came on the defensive side of the ball, when DePauw attempted a rebound shot, but Kelly was positioned near the post on the goal line, and made the save by clearing the shot away. Matt Naticchia also stood out defensively, as he made several individual stops against players that were deep in Wooster territory. 

Goalkeepers Matthew Canter and Aaron McKee split halves, and both allowed a goal while recording one and two saves, respectively.

The Scots will be back in action next Saturday when they host Kenyon College (8-3-1, 1-0-1 NCAC) at 4 p.m.