Clare Nelson-Johnson

WOOSTER, Ohio – A first-half goal by Clare Nelson-Johnson turned out to be all The College of Wooster would need to advance to the North Coast Athletic Conference Field Hockey Tournament championship game, as the second-seeded Fighting Scots got past the No. 3 seed, Kenyon College, by a 1-0 count during Wednesday's semifinal meeting at John P. Papp Stadium.

Wooster (15-5), now in the NCAC tourney finals for the third year in a row, will travel to top-seeded Wittenberg University (15-3) for Saturday's championship as the rival Tigers edged Denison University 3-2 in double overtime in Wednesday's other semi.

Nelson-Johnson actually had a couple of good early looks at the goal within the first three minutes, one of which was saved by Sydney Carney-Knisley. Nelson-Johnson continued to be active on the offensive end and her fourth shot was true when, positioned about 10 yards right in front of the goal, she slapped in a well-placed cross from Kate Valora. The goal, coming with 11:26 to play during the opening half, marked Nelson-Johnson's ninth of the season, and it was Valora's sixth assist.

The Scots continued to pressure Kenyon (10-11) throughout the remainder of the game, but were unable to pad their lead. Wooster finished with an 18-5 advantage in shots and 14-6 in penalty corners. During one sequence in the second half, the Scots got the ball past the 'keeper, only to see back Susie Gurzenda swat it away for a defensive save to keep the Ladies within striking distance.

Wooster's defense, featuring Josie Rey, Nina Dine, Lauren Grimanis, Anna Divis, and Dana Feit among others, made the single score hold up, as Kenyon's scoring chances were few. The Ladies only got off two shots during the second half, the last going wide around the 10-minute mark.

Statistically, Liz Plumley was credited with three saves in the shutout effort, while Carney-Knisley tallied eight.

Wittenberg and Wooster split their regular season series, with the Scots prevailing 3-1 in Springfield, Ohio, on Sept. 11, and the Tigers escaping Wooster with a 3-2 overtime decision Oct. 2. Saturday's winner will earn the NCAC's automatic berth into the NCAA Div. III Championships field.