Big First Quarter Carries Blue Streaks to 13-8 Win Over Wooster

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster men's lacrosse team found itself within three goals early in the fourth quarter, but a late offensive push by John Carroll University and a steep lead early on proved enough as the Blue Streaks held on by a final score of 13-8 at John P. Papp Stadium on a cold but clear Saturday afternoon.

Brothers Kuhn struck first for Wooster (2-1), as senior Sam Kuhn netted the game's first goal off the assist from sophomore Cullen Kuhn. Sam went on to finish with a co-game-high three goals.

From there, it was all John Carroll (2-0) for the remainder of the first quarter, as the Blue Streaks tacked on five straight, including one from Ryan Crater with just :06 left in the first.

In the second quarter, Wooster goals from Sam Kuhn and first-year Shaun Peirce sandwiched a trio from John Carroll as the Blue Streaks took an 8-3 lead at the halftime break.

The Fighting Scots quickly cut the deficit to three (8-5) in the third after Sam Kuhn and senior Aidan Crowe each struck in the opening five minutes. John Carroll stymied a full momentum swing with two straight goals from RP Whitty and Colin Corcoran, who assisted on each other's goals before Wooster senior Ian Brim made it a 10-6 game with an unassisted put-away late in the third.

Senior Alexander Bloom opened the game's fourth-quarter with an unassisted strike to make it a 10-7 scoreline, but John Carroll responded, scoring three of the game's next four goals to ultimately seal the win and remain undefeated on the year.

Senior Jack Gilio and junior Ethan Scully tallied a team-high five groundballs each while Gilio led all Scots with three caused turnovers.

Sophomore goalkeeper Wesley Wagner finished with 11 saves.

Up next, Wooster hosts Capital University (1-1) on Wednesday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at John P. Papp Stadium.