The College of Wooster grabbed a 2-1 halftime lead with two goals late in the first, only to see Allegheny College storm back for a 3-2 victory in the teams' key North Coast Athletic Conference men's soccer contest Thursday night.

The loss knocks Wooster (6-9-1, 3-5-0 NCAC) out of contention for the four-team NCAC Tournament, while Allegheny (6-8-3, 4-2-2 NCAC) jumped into fourth-place in the league standings.

The Gators scored first in the 28th minute, but the Fighting Scots answered right back when Karl Ruter took a through ball from Scott Buckwald and netted his fifth goal of the season at the 31:31 mark. Just 7:04 had passed when Wooster was celebrating another score, as Erik Beuck saved a ball from going over the end line and directed it into the box to Chris DeMoll, who converted the opportunity. It marked the sophomore's first career goal.

The Scots were only able to maintain their one-goal advantage until 2:01 into the second half. Allegheny tied it then and went ahead for good during the 74th minute.

Wooster's freshman 'keeper, Taylor Takacs, was credited with eight saves on 20 Gator shots.

The Scots will aim to cap the 2008 season on a positive note and send out its six seniors with a win on Saturday when they host Denison University (5-8-3, 2-5-1 NCAC) at 2 p.m.