WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster men's soccer team opened North Coast Athletic Conference play with a 2-0 victory over DePauw University on Saturday afternoon at Carl Dale Memorial Field.

Senior Ousmane Sy heads the ball forward as part of a defensive contingent that has produced five shutouts through nine games.

In what was their second win in 12 all-time meetings, the Fighting Scots (5-4, 1-0 NCAC) tallied goals in each half to eclipse .500 on the year and surpass last year's win total (4) with nine games remaining.

The Tigers (3-3-1, 0-1 NCAC), who advanced to the second round of the 2016 NCAA Div. III Men's Soccer Tournament, fall to 3-3-1 on the season and 0-1 in conference play.

For Wooster, sophomore Max Rochester and first-year Wilson Freiji each tallied respective third goals of the season, with Rochester opening in the 11th minute off the feed from classmate Connor Hawkins for the game-winner.

Rochester received the over-the-top ball along the left side of the 18-yard-box before cutting in and placing it past DePauw goalkeeper Ben Davis low and to the right.

Nine minutes before the halftime break, DePauw's Ryan Kupiec created space just outside the 18-yard-box and fired a promising strike low but ultimately just outside.

DePauw managed five shots in the opening 45 minutes compared to Wooster's six.

In the second half, the Scots came out on the offensive and secured the insurance goal in the 54th minute.

Off the corner kick from junior Austin Russell, Freiji timed the back-post ball well and managed to head it on frame as it deflected off a defender and into the back of the net.

For Wooster, all five victories have come via shutout, including three at home. Sophomore goalkeeper Will Collis managed four saves on the day as Wooster edged the Tigers, 12-11, in total shots.

Of note, Collis stands atop the NCAC in save percentage (.809) and in the top-five in total saves (38) and goals-against average (1.10).

Up next, Wooster begins a three-game road stretch at Bluffton University (0-7) on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m.