Austin Russell

Mouhamet Ndiaye

WOOSTER, Ohio – A header from junior Mouhamet Ndiaye marked the game-winner, but a quick brace from sophomore Austin Russell along with a fourth tally from senior captain Zachary Mastrich sealed the deal as The College of Wooster men's soccer team shutout Bluffton University 4-0 on a rain-soaked Wednesday afternoon at Carl Dale Field.

From the outset, The Fighting Scots (4-5-1, 1-0-0 North Coast Athletic Conference) maintained control for the majority of the game, managing 10 shots on goal and converting on four.

The shutout marks the Scots' third of the season.

Senior right back Marco Sapien did well to swing a ball over Bluffton's backline, skidding it past the defender as an open streaking Ndiaye finished his run with clinical snapping header to take a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute.

Wooster continued to force the issue on a pressed Bluffton defensive line.

Russell doubled the Scots' lead in the 23rd minute. After receiving a pass on the left flank, Russell found himself one-on-one with a defender just outside the 18-yard-box. A quick change of pace was all he needed, as the sophomore drilled a dipping shot over the keeper and into the side netting for a 2-0 Wooster advantage.

Less than two minutes later, back-to-back shots from Wooster's Connor Hawkins and Max Rochester were denied as the ball deflected wide to the right towards Russell on the far post, who took a quick control touch before converting on a close range left-footed shot to give the Scots a commanding 3-0 lead.

Wooster resumed control in the second half, as Mastrich found himself with a near post finish off the assist from first-year Will Yakubik for the captain's second goal of the year.

First-years Will Collis and Dan Dorman split halves between the pipes, with Collis recording the start. Neither faced a shot on goal.

Russell now leads the team in goal (3) and points (8), while remaining tied for the team-lead in assists (2) with Rochester.

The Scots return to the pitch on Saturday at No. 25 Oberlin College (7-1-0, 1-0-0 NCAC) for a 7 p.m. slate.