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| Matt Ehrenburg |
WOOSTER, Ohio – Just one goal separated North Coast Athletic Conference rivals late in Saturday's match, but Wittenberg University added to its lead in the 75th minute, which sealed a 3-1 victory over The College of Wooster in a closely-contested battle at John P. Papp Stadium
The Fighting Scots (3-11-1, 0-7 NCAC) were the aggressors early, taking three of the first four shots of the game, including strong looks by Luke Collier and Marco Sapien that both sailed left of the goal, as well as a diving header attempt from Matt Parmelee that just missed its target.
At the 27:26 mark, the Tigers (6-9-1, 1-6 NCAC) put a tally on the scoreboard, when Reed Glosser intercepted an errant pass in Wooster's own goal box and pushed the ball into the back of the net to make it a 1-0 game.
Just over a minute later, the Scots responded, as they earned a penalty kick, and Matt Ehrenburg beat the 'keeper with a low shot towards the left post to knot the score at one apiece.
Wittenberg went up 2-1 with 3:57 remaining in the first half, as Patrick Szymczak delivered a corner kick into the box, and Glosser settled it and kicked it through a scrum for his second goal of the afternoon. The Tigers made their way back into Wooster territory moments before the break, but Daniel Quinn made a diving save to his left to prevent a would-be score.
The second half featured the defenses, with just four shots being attempted by each team, but the Tigers capitalized on another corner kick at 74:49 to open up a two-goal cushion, 3-1.
The Scots produced a pair of solid scoring chances down the stretch, including one where backup 'keeper Alex Molinari sent a booming punt down field that Lucas Hunt collected and put a shot on goal, but it was saved. Another good opportunity came on a corner kick, as CJ Polak booted a ball at Zach Jergan, but Jergan's header attempt was corralled by the goalie.
Overall, Wittenberg held slight advantages in shots (14-10) and corners (4-3), and both teams recorded four saves.
Wooster will be back at home Wednesday when it welcomes Hiram College (7-7-2, 2-3-2 NCAC) at 7:30 p.m.