Johnson Scores in Saturday Field Hockey Tilt

WOOSTER, Ohio – Junior Mary Johnson scored The College of Wooster field hockey team's first goal of the season on a deflection in Saturday's 3-1 loss to Marian University (Wisconsin) at John P. Papp Stadium.

Wooster's (0-2) goal came in the 54th minute. First-year Frankie Zehnal set it up by playing a shot in from just inside the top of the circle. Johnson was able to get the stick on it for a redirect.

Wooster's back end stepped up early, with junior Joey Beckerman and senior Ashley Reynolds tallying defensive saves in the first half. Beckerman's came in the final minute of the first quarter when a Merel Nagelkerke shot deflected off the junior defender, who was positioned behind starting 'keeper Cate Barkdoll. Reynolds' defensive save occurred in the 27th minute. On that play, Reynolds stopped a Nagelkerke shot just before it crossed the line.

Wooster's defense was tested immediately, and Barkdoll stepped up, turning away two Marian (3-0) shots in the opening 32 seconds. Wooster threatened on the counter, with Zehnal getting a shot off just past the fourth minute mark. Next, a shot from just in front from Allyson Nichols entered the cage in the eighth minute for Marian's first score of the day.

The Sabres doubled the lead in the 10th minute after a cross to the front of the cage was broken up by Barkdoll. Guivernau Ragghianti gathered the loose ball, spun, and deposited goal one of the young season into the cage. Nichols made it 3-0 with a shot into the lower right corner following a loose ball scramble in front of Wooster's cage in the third period.

Marian had a 29-9 advantage on shots and 13-3 in penalty corners.

Barkdoll totaled 10 saves for Wooster, while Emilee Clarey stopped a pair of shots for Marian.

Next, Wooster (0-0 North Cost Athletic Conference) hosts Kenyon College (2-0, 0-0 NCAC) at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10.