Clare Nelson-Johnson

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster field hockey team exploded for five goals during a 5:21 spurt early in the first half and then steadily added to its advantage en route to a lopsided 9-1 victory over Bethany (W. Va.) College in its regular season home finale Sunday afternoon at a cold and rainy John P. Papp Stadium.

After eight minutes of scoreless play to start the contest, Clare Nelson-Johnson broke the seal with a goal that was assisted by Isabelle Howes. The goal marked a milestone for Nelson-Johnson, as it pushed her over the 100-point mark for her career. She wound up tallying a hat trick on the day, and also added an assist, pushing her career total to 106 points on 48 goals and 10 assists – good for seventh all-time.

The Scots (11-8) were only just getting started, though, as Nikki Sever scored 58 seconds later, and then Kate Brondyk 24 seconds after that, pushing the lead to 3-0. Wooster's next two goals were off the stick of Nelson-Johnson, and both were assisted by Sever, who moved into sole possession of first-place on the program's single-season assists list with 18. Sever passed Emily White, who dished out 17 during the '00 season.

Abby Szlachta, Claire Moffett, and Anna Divis also scored in the first half which gave the Scots an 8-0 cushion. Moffett's goal was the first of her career. Then in the second half, Tess Langrill-Miles beat the 'keeper on her first collegiate score as well.

Wooster was able to use all three of its goalkeepers, as Liz Plumley, Carrie Mount, and Danielle Slichenmyer each saw significant time in the victory.

The Scots will find out their seed and opponent in the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament tomorrow evening after Ohio Wesleyan University and Wittenberg University complete their game that was suspended due to weather Friday.