Fourth-ranked Colonels Give Scots Early Exit in NCAA Tournament

Miura Wiley tries to create an opportunity during the Scots' NCAA First Round game.

DANVILLE, Ky. - A relentless offense from the fourth-ranked team in the nation eliminated the Wooster women's soccer team from the first round of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championships on Saturday as Centre College defeated the Scots 4-0.

The scoring opportunities ended up being too much for the Scots to contain. Wooster held off the Colonels in the first half after being outshot 6-1 and entered halftime tied 0-0.

The defense was challenged right from the start, and Wooster goalkeeper Molly Hutter's day stayed busy from there.

Centre started with a near score just three minutes in, but Wooster was able to kick the ball wide of the net for a corner kick. The ensuing kick was then punched out by Hutter.

Senior Keeghan Francis thought she gave Centre a 1-0 lead after finding the back of the net in the 20th minute but was denied the goal due to an offside call. 

In the final 10 minutes of the first half Wooster looked to have somewhat figured out the Colonels after finally gaining some offensive ground. Senior Devin Frisby gave the Scots their first shot, albeit wide, and a few minutes later sophomore Mila Zunich had a touch in the box that was blocked.

However, that momentum did not carry over into the second half as Centre exceeded their first half shot total midway through and finally opened the game up. In a matter of 58 seconds, Centre led 2-0.

Francis got redemption for her earlier goal that was taken away and put Centre ahead on a shot that went over Hutter's reach in the 54th minute. Alana Hughes was on the assist.

The Colonels kept on the Scots, and, in an instant, Meghan Paynter created a scoring opportunity for herself and gave Centre a 2-0 lead.

Later in the second half, Centre had another pair of goals, this time a couple minutes within one another. Elizabeth Nelson got on the board in the 71st minute off another assist from Hughes. In the 73rd minute, the speed of Brooke Smithson allowed her to make it a 4-0 game.

Centre outshot the Scots 16-4. Hutter collected five saves.

This was Centre's 14th consecutive game without allowing a goal. Now 20-0, they will move on to the second round to face the winner of the Chicago/Grove City game.

Wooster, after making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1996, concludes the year at 13-4-3.