Wooster's Shelby Stone looks for an opening around Corinne Martucci of Fredonia State during Saturday's action.

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster was within one goal of nationally-ranked State University of New York at Fredonia on four different occasions during the second half, but the No. 20 Blue Devils staved off the Fighting Scots' rally and emerged from John P. Papp Stadium with a 13-11 victory in the teams' season opener Saturday afternoon.

Wooster's best chance to tie the game came with about 9:00 remaining when the Scots, down 11-10 at the time, had a transition opportunity, however, a pass to Ellie Hudson-Heck sailed just beyond her reach.

The visitors picked up the loose ball and Fredonia State's Marissa Cussins eventually scored on a free-position shot to go back up by two with 5:54 left.

About a minute later, Wooster's Shannan Pullara beat the 'keeper with a high shot to make it a one-score difference again (12-11).

After a shot by the Blue Devils hit the post and goalie Isabel Perman collected the groundball, the Scots had another possession to possibly tie. This time, an unsuccessful clear doomed Wooster, as Cussins connected on another goal – her fifth of the day – to push the margin to 13-11 at the 2:30 mark.

The Scots' Molly Sennett won the ensuing draw control, then Cussins knocked it away, which allowed Fredonia State to burn most of the remaining clock and seal the outcome.

Early on, it did not look like the game would come down to the final minutes. The Blue Devils constructed a 7-1 lead late in the first, then Wooster gained the momentum thanks to two Sennett goals during the last 2:19 of the half.

After Fredonia State took advantage of an extra-man opportunity early in the second to go ahead 8-3, the Scots exploded for five of the next six goals, pulling within one for the first time when Shelby Stone converted a free-position to make it 9-8.

Most of Wooster's offense came from Hudson-Heck (4 goals), Sennett (3 goals, 1 assist), and Stone (3 goals, 1 assist), while in addition to her five goals, Cussins assisted on six to lead the Blue Devils.

Perman played particularly well in goal during the opening half, as she made seven of her 10 saves then to keep the Scots within striking distance.

Wooster is scheduled to be home again on Wednesday against the College of Mount St. Joseph (0-1) at 5 p.m.