Wooster Opens Conference Play

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster field hockey team worked through a series of unfortunate breaks in Tuesday's 2-0 loss against Kenyon College at John P. Papp Stadium.

Junior midfielder Lizzie Hardy delivered two well-struck entry passes from outside the shooting circle that found the back of the cage. However, Wooster (0-3, 0-1 NCAC) players inside the circle were unable to get a stick on the ball both times, resulting in the plays being nullified. In field hockey, all offensive goals must have an offensive touch from inside the shooting circle.

Elsewhere, Wooster had an own goal when a Kenyon (3-1, 1-0 NCAC) shot by Maren Lawrence was played off a Fighting Scots' stick and went into the cage. By NCAA rule, Lawrence is credited with the goal as the last offensive player to legally touch the ball.

On the flip side, Wooster did have several highlight-worthy moments in the game. In the fourth, junior goalkeeper Cate Barkdoll disrupted a fastbreak opportunity and denied the Owls a prime 1-on-'keeper scoring chance with no trailing players from either side in the immediate vicinity. Barkdoll's disruption enabled Wooster's defense to get back in time and work the ball safely out of the critical scoring area.

A big Wooster scoring chance came in the 29th minute, when the Scots earned a pair of penalty corners. Kenyon goalkeeper Megan Lydon played a loose ball to the wing and outside the shooting circle in the final 90 seconds of the half.

Prior to that, Wooster made a strong defensive stand of its own on a Kenyon penalty corner insertion from Raigan Hutter. Two Kenyon players were able to get shots off behind Barkdoll. Junior defender Joey Beckerman was right there in support, logging consecutive defensive saves in a four-second span.

Wooster first-year Frankie Zehnal had a good look in the closing seconds of the third quarter and that shot was stopped by Lydon. Earlier in the third, sophomore Naledi Jani's attempt and pulling Wooster within 2-1 was denied by Lydon.

Kenyon's first goal came at the far post in the 13th minute. Kiersten Hoffman redirected a ball from Ella Haskins that was played that direction.

Kenyon outshot Wooster 23-8. The Scots found more offensive consistency in the second half with seven of the shots coming after halftime. Barkdoll ended the night with nine saves. Lydon was credited with three saves.

Wooster closes out its four-game homestand with a noon game against Concordia University Wisconsin (1-3) at noon on Saturday, September 14.