Erika Womack

Rachel Wetzel

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster field hockey team was involved in its second consecutive high-scoring game on Tuesday afternoon, but this time was tripped up by Denison University by a 5-3 count in North Coast Athletic Conference action on Andrew Turf Field at John P. Papp Stadium.

After defeating Oberlin College 5-4 in overtime Saturday, Wooster (2-10, 1-6 NCAC) fell behind 3-0 to Denison (7-4, 5-2 NCAC), then delivered its own offensive firepower to make for an interesting game during the second half.

The Big Red had a three-goal outburst over a 4:17 stretch midway through the opening half, and after a timeout, the Fighting Scots gained some momentum, accounting for four of the next six shots. Late in the half, one of their pushes resulted in a goal when Rose Taylor gathered a loose ball deep in the circle, quickly passed left to Sarah McGrath, who fired the ball in with :20 on the clock. It was the second collegiate goal for the junior.

Wooster built further momentum by cutting the deficit to 3-2 just 2:34 into the second. Following a deep run, a cross came from the right end line to Rachel Wetzel, positioned a step in front of the cage, and she made the extra pass to Erika Womack, who finished the play for her third goal.

The Scots had a series of opportunities to tie the game, including three successive penalty corners, but Denison's defense survived the challenge. The next score came on the other end of the field, as Lucy Pearsall received a penalty corner at the top of the circle and drove one through the defense to give the Big Red a 4-2 advantage.

After Denison added another to make the margin three for a second time, Wooster kept battling as it earned a penalty stroke opportunity. Wetzel calmly converted the scoring chance at the 7:54 mark, marking her second goal in as many games and third this year, however, the Scots were unable to threaten again.

Defensively, Danielle Slichenmyer piled up 10 saves – her fourth game with a double-digit total – and she received some help from Anjela Galimberti and Wetzel as each registered a defensive save.

Wooster will be home again on Saturday afternoon when it welcomes Kenyon College (9-1, 6-0 NCAC) to Papp Stadium for a conference affair, starting at noon.