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| Amanda Artman |
WOOSTER, Ohio – Wittenberg University's Tori Casanta scored on a rebound goal 5:13 into overtime, ending a back-and-forth affair as the Tigers escaped John P. Papp Stadium Saturday afternoon with a 3-2 win over The College of Wooster in an even match-up between two of the North Coast Athletic Conference's top field hockey teams.
Shortly after Wooster (5-5, 5-2 NCAC) had a couple of quality offensive looks at the onset of the extra session, Boo Vernon of Wittenberg (7-2, 4-1 NCAC) made a run up the field. She settled the ball inside the circle and fired a shot from the left side, but Liz Plumley stood her ground, making the save. Unfortunately for the Fighting Scots' defense, they couldn't locate the ball, which had trickled under Plumley's pads and settled on the end line before Casanta alertly touched it in for the game-winner.
Wooster, which had beaten the Tigers 3-1 at their place in September, was down 1-0 at the half after Vernon converted on one of the few scoring opportunities for either squad during the opening 35 minutes.
The Scots evened the score for the first time a little more than 13 minutes into the second. Initially, Clare Nelson-Johnson gave Wooster a lift as she made the move up to the attack line and it paid off moments later when she took a shot from the left wing. It was saved, but seconds later the Scots were awarded a penalty stroke, with Amanda Artman scoring it on a quick lift to the right.
Wittenberg went back ahead about 10 minutes later, when Vernon got free near the left post and made a quick pass to Taylor Dawley, who rattled the lower right corner of the cage to make it 2-1.
The momentum went back on Wooster's side just over a minute later. Eileen Barrer put an attempt on the goal that was saved, but Artman emerged from a scramble in front, slapping in the rebound and tying it again.
The game was evenly played throughout. The Scots took one more shot (13-12) and both goalies – Plumley and the Tigers' Jenny Schaafsma – were credited with eight saves.
Wooster continues conference play next Saturday at Earlham College.