Wooster Opens Conference Play on High Note

OBERLIN, Ohio - The College of Wooster women's lacrosse team kicked off North Coast Athletic Conference play in fine fashion with a 17-6 victory over Oberlin College on Saturday afternoon at the Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex.

While Oberlin (6-5, 0-1 NCAC) scored the game's first goal, there was no turning back for Wooster (11-1, 1-0 NCAC) once the offense started clicking. Junior Lizzie Hardy scored on a free position shot to jump start a 4-0 Fighting Scots' run that only ended with the first period horn and a quick Yeowomen score in the opening seconds of the second quarter. Junior Brynne Snaguski, junior Sophia Mellis and Hardy then combined for yet another Wooster run, 5-0 this time, as the Scots led 9-3 at intermission.

The third period was rather uneventful, with both teams combining for only three goals. The Wooster offense revved back up in the final period, going on another 5-0 run to help put the game away.

Mellis exploded for a career-best six goals and seven points. Snaguski added a hat trick and an assist, while senior Madelyn Noll and Hardy each netted a pair of goals. Hardy proved to be a force all over the field, also recording game highs of six draw controls, five groundballs and two caused turnovers. Not to be outdone, Mellis scooped a career-best four groundballs while Snaguski caused a pair of turnovers herself. Junior Sidney O'Rourke matched Hardy with six draw controls.

Sophomore Phoebe Doland and junior Olivia Corradi accounted for most of Oberlin's offense on the afternoon, netting a pair of goals each. Senior Alexis Escobedo and first-year Rachel Reiter grabbed three draw controls each while first-year Kylie Thompson led the Yeowomen defensive effort with a team-high five groundballs.

Sophomore Audrey Richardson picked up her 11th win of the year and made five saves in the process. Sophomore counterpart Emily Berger had 11 saves in the loss for Oberlin.

The final score reflected the statistical advantage in favor of the Scots. Wooster had 14 turnovers to Oberlin's 22 and went 17-of-18 on clears to a 14-of-23 line for the Yeowomen. Wooster had sizable advantages in shots (43-18) and groundballs (31-25) and made six of its 10 free-position shots.

Next, Wooster takes on Ohio Wesleyan University (8-4, 0-1 NCAC) on Tuesday, April 8 at John P. Papp Stadium. Opening draw is set for 6:30 p.m.