SHREVE, Ohio – Senior Hannah Shaw became The College of Wooster's all-time leader in draw controls, but the women's lacrosse team could not find a way past Denison University in Tuesday's 18-7 setback at Triway High School, which marked the North Coast Athletic Conference opener for the Fighting Scots.

Shaw surpassed alumna Megan Healy's 275 career draw controls on the opening one of the second period. The senior entered play needing two and was awarded one in the first period after being fouled while trying to establish possession.

Denison (4-8, 2-0 NCAC) opened a 5-1 lead after the first period of play and was primed on several other opportunities, evidenced by being awarded four free position attempts in the opening 15 minutes of play. The Big Red did not convert on any of them, thanks in part to sophomore Kenzie Morris, who utilized her length and closing angles to tie up the Big Red shooters' sticks on two of them. Denison found its mark in the second though, putting away 5-of-6 free-position chances.

Sophomore Kaitlyn McBride kept the Scots (9-2, 0-1 NCAC) close early, netting a goal with 11:40 remaining in the first that had Wooster within 2-1. McBride became the fourth Scot to hit the 20-goal mark on the year in the second period, and that score was followed up by junior Kenzie Smith's. Smith's occurred when the attacker came around from behind the goal and beat Denison 'keeper Caroline O'Dea to pull Wooster within 7-4 at the 7:29 mark.

Wooster, which had Div. III's third-highest scoring average and second-highest shot average entering the week, was kept in check by Denison, which only allowed the Scots to get off 23 shots on the night. That stat was evenly matched though, as Wooster held its own, keeping Denison to just 27 shot attempts. Denison scooped up 25 groundballs to Wooster's 16, had three fewer turnovers than the Scots' 22, and the teams split 28 draw controls.

Individually, McBride's three goals led Wooster, as did Shaw's six draw controls and five groundballs. Sophomore JG Garrison started in goal for the first time and had four saves.

Allaire Kotz scored five times and assisted on two of Denison's other 13 scores. Abby Van Metre won five of the Big Red's 14 draw controls and tied for the team lead with four groundballs. O'Dea and Audrey Hughes combined for nine saves.

Next, Wooster is off to Wittenberg University (2-10, 0-2 NCAC) for a 1 p.m. contest on Saturday, April 15.