WOOSTER, Ohio - The College of Wooster women's lacrosse team scored first, and later started to mount a comeback, but in the end two big runs by visiting Wittenberg University were too much to overcome as the Tigers topped the Fighting Scots 18-8 on Wednesday evening at John P. Papp Stadium.

Senior Abby Szlachta started "Senior Night" off on a high note putting Wooster (10-5, 3-4 NCAC) up 1-0 with 27:48 remaining in the first half.

From there, Wittenberg (11-3, 5-2 NCAC) took charge with seven straight goals. The Tigers' were aided by 13 first-half draw controls, a stat that really swung the momentum to Wittenberg.

Seniors Ellie Hudson-Heck and Abby Szlachta each had three goals and one assist in their final home game.

Wooster started its comeback bid about two-thirds of the way through the stanza. First, Ellie Hudson-Heck connected on a free-position shot to make it an 8-3 tilt with 11:45 left in the half. Then, Hudson-Heck set up Szlachta for a score with 9:52 left, pulling Wooster within four.

Notable, the goal was Szlachta's 40th for the year marking the eighth time in the last nine seasons two different student-athletes scored at least 40 goals in a year.

Wooster continued to remain in the hunt in the late parts of the first half and the early-going of the second stanza, cutting its deficit to five at three different points.

First, Szlachta set up Helena Enders with 3:08 left in the first half to make it a 10-5 game. Then, Hudson-Heck connected on a pair of free-position scores at 11-6, and then at 12-7.

The Tigers, then put the game out of reach with a second lengthy run.

Hudson-Heck and Szlachta both finished with a hat trick and an assist on the night.

Wooster was outshot by Wittenberg 32-24, but did hold a 22-18 edge in groundballs. Wooster had success on the draw in the second half with Wittenberg only holding a narrow 6-5 edge over the final 30 minutes.

Individually, Heather Szymanski scooped up five groundballs, while also causing a pair of turnovers on the night. Emma Lawrence recorded a team-best six draw controls, while Hudson-Heck caused three turnovers on the night.

Carrie Kubasta and Olivia Lash paced Wittenberg's offense with six and five goals respectively, while Emily Wadds won 13 draw controls.

Wooster, still in contention for one of the four spots in next week's NCAC Tournament, travels to Oberlin College (10-6, 4-3 NCAC) for a 1 p.m. contest on Saturday.