Max Rochester

Three goals at crucial junctures – one in the dying minutes of the first half and two early on in the second – propelled Capital University over The College of Wooster men's soccer team by a final count of 3-1 on Wednesday afternoon in Columbus, Ohio.

Capital (5-2), the seventh-ranked team in the most recent United Soccer Coaches Great Lakes Poll, struck first in the 44th-minute off a throw-in cross to Hunter Stiger, who placed it far-post off the header to give the Crusaders a 1-0 advantage at the break.

Thirty-one seconds into the second half, miscommunication by Wooster combined with a quick counter from the Crusaders put the home team up 2-0, as Luke Morias slotted home the game-winner.

Just like that, however, the Fighting Scots (4-4) got back within one, as junior Andrew Klein reached the ball first on a 50-50 tackle with the goalkeeper to earn a penalty kick. Sophomore Max Rochester stepped up and placed it well up for cut the deficit in half at the 46-minute mark.

One minute later, Capital regained its two-goal advantage as Brandon Woo tucked away the insurance goal at the far-post off the cross from Matt Scheper.

Wooster finished with six shots on the game, including three on target. First-year Max Hill led the Scots with three shots.

Of note, three of Wooster's four losses have come to regionally-ranked teams.

Wooster plays host to DePauw University on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 3:30 p.m. as part of the Scots' North Coast Athletic Conference opener.