Paige Piper

WOOSTER, Ohio – Paige Piper assisted on one goal and scored another less than a minute apart, turning a 1-1 deadlock into a 3-1 cushion for The College of Wooster, and the Fighting Scots went on to win by that margin against Marietta College in their home opener Wednesday at Carl Dale Field.

After a scoreless opening half with few offensive chances on either side, the teams combined for a four-goal flurry during about 10 minutes of play early in the second half.

In the 51st minute, Erika Kay, the reigning North Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week, helped start the scoring. She took the ball at the midline, delivered a long pass down the left flank to Crystal Chavez, who had her defender beat, and the latter delivered a well-placed shot beyond the reach of the 'keeper's hands and into the right-side netting.

Marietta (0-3) struck about four minutes later when a Melina Feitl right-to-left cross was deflected in front of the goal right to open teammate Holly Simms, who booted it in to even the score.

Wooster (3-0) went right back on the attack, forcing the Pioneers' goalie into a couple of tough saves, followed by a corner kick attempt. During the corner, the ball was deflected out in front, then Piper quickly touched it over to Kay on the left, who found an opening for her third goal in as many games.

Not satisfied with the 2-1 advantage, the Scots scored again on the very next shot attempt. This time, Piper did it herself as she settled the ball in the upper left corner of the box, turned, and connected on her initial goal of the season.

Wooster challenged the Marietta defense throughout the final 29:25, winding up with a 23-6 shot advantage overall as well as 10-1 in corner kicks.

The Scots, who have won their first three games for the first time since 2008, will host a four-team classic this weekend. On Saturday, they'll play Baldwin-Wallace College (2-0-1) at 11 a.m., followed by Earlham College (2-0) and Ohio Northern University (0-0-2) at 1:30 p.m.