Wooster Tripped Up by Otterbein in Non-Conference Finale

The College of Wooster men's lacrosse team had a strong second half, and in fact, outscored Otterbein University over the final 30 minutes, but a slow start from the Fighting Scots propelled the Cardinals to a 14-9 win on Wednesday evening at Memorial Stadium in Westerville, Ohio.

Wooster (7-3) scored its first three goals of the contest over an 82-second span in the third period. First, CJ Polak beat Otterbein (5-4) goalkeeper James Gundling with 10:49 left in the stanza. Then, Nate Weltman and Ian Brim pumped in their 13th goals of the season with 10:21 and 9:47 left in the frame respectively.

The Fighting Scots struck for six goals in the fourth period, highlighted by a quartet off the stick of Nathaniel Miller.

Of note, Sam Kuhn moved into a tie for the team lead in goals when the sophomore ripped in his 17th of the year with 13:50 remaining in the contest.

Both defenses held the opposition's attackers in check early on, with Gundling and Aaron Levy posting five combined saves prior to the Cardinals' Marcus Willis putting the hosts on the board with 4:56 remaining in the opening period.

Otterbein really gained separation with a five-goal second period, and two third-period strikes before Polak put Wooster on the board.

Statistically, Jack Gilio scooped up four groundballs, while Brooks Kiley filled the sheet with three caused turnovers on the night for Wooster.

 Willis paced the Otterbein attack with four goals, while Carlos Salazar really jump-started the Cardinals with 17 face-off wins and 11 groundballs.

Of note, Robbie Guiliano became Otterbein's all-time leading scorer when the senior netted his 109th career goal in the third period.

Wooster, who has won both of its North Coast Athletic Conference contests to date, returns to league play with a prime-time 8 p.m. tilt against Oberlin College (2-6, 0-2 NCAC) on Friday at John P. Papp Stadium.