Scot Rewind: Wooster Upsets Ohio Wesleyan for First Win Over Battling Bishops Since 1982
Victory was pivotal in helping the Scots stay in the hunt for the NCAC title
Welcome back to the Scot Rewind, where WoosterAthletics.com is taking a look back at a big win, a monster individual performance, or a significant milestone corresponding with each week of the 2020-2021 academic year. This week's selection takes us back to the 2004 season, when The College of Wooster's men's lacrosse team beat Ohio Wesleyan University 7-5, in what marked the Fighting Scots' first win over the Battling Bishops since 1982. Here's the recap from the win.
Attackers Shawn Handy and Steve Burton scored back-to-back goals in the fourth quarter, building a 7-4 lead with 5:41 remaining and all but sealing one of biggest victories ever for Wooster's men's lacrosse program, as the Scots upended No. 12-ranked Ohio Wesleyan 7-5 on Tuesday.
It marked Wooster's first win over Ohio Wesleyan since 1982 — a stretch of 23 games — and keeps the Scots in the hunt for the 2004 North Coast Athletic Conference championship.
Wooster jumped out early via unassisted scores by Burton, Mike MacMaster, and Handy to take a 3-0 lead after one quarter of play. The goals came during a 5:04 stretch.
The host Battling Bishops (would pull within one score three times (3-2, 4-3, 5-4), but could not convert an equalizer.
Handy's three-point game (two goals, one assist) led the Scot offense, while Burton (two goals) and MacMaster (one goal, one assist) each totaled two points. Rounding out Wooster's scoring were a trio of freshmen, as Andy Boylan and Ryan Trude each had third-quarter goals and David Loudenslager assisted on Handy's key score in the fourth.
Nearly all of Ohio Wesleyan's offense came from John Schlegel, who had a hat trick.
Statistically, it was a very evenly played game. The Bishops held a narrow advantage in shots (29-26) and the teams finished with 33 groundballs apiece. Also, goalkeepers Courter Shimeall (Wooster) and Paul McCommons (Ohio Wesleyan) each made 12 saves.
The victory was pivotal in helping the Scots stay in the hunt for the NCAC title, which Wooster eventually won a share of for the first conference title in program history.
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