Denison Slips Past Scots in Stroke-Off

Briana Lynch

The Denison University and College of Wooster field hockey teams played to a 1-1 deadlock through 70 minutes of regulation and another 30 minutes of overtimes Wednesday before the Big Red spoiled the Fighting Scots’ 2007 home opener by prevailing in penalty strokes for the 2-1 victory.

It marked the first game at Wooster’s Cindy Barr Memorial Field that was determined by a stroke-off since Oct. 20, 2004, when the Scots edged Oberlin College 2-1.

Denison (2-3, 1-0 North Coast Athletic Conference) got on the scoreboard during a back-and-forth first half, which saw each squad fire off eight shots. A little less than 13 minutes into the action, Kristen Schnider found an opening, slapping in an unassisted goal to put the Big Red up 1-0.

The Scots (1-3, 0-2 NCAC) would control play most of the second half, holding a 7-0 shot advantage. Midway through the stanza, freshman Briana Lynch scored her first collegiate goal, thanks to an assist from senior Piper Annese. It marked Annese’s fifth career point.

Both teams had their chances during the extra sessions, with Denison forcing six penalty corners and taking three shots and Wooster getting off four shots. The Scots nearly scored on a breakaway with under 10 seconds remaining in the second overtime, but Big Red goalie Halle Minshall was able to deflect it.

Denison had the upper hand throughout the stroke-off. In fact, the Big Red converted all three of their attempts, while Wooster couldn’t get one past Minshall.

Sophomore Izzy Maffetone was credited with five saves during regulation, and the Scots’ backfield combined for another four defensive saves, including two by junior Anna Hurley. Minshall ended up with seven stops.

Next, Wooster has another home game Saturday against Kenyon College (3-2, 2-0 NCAC), starting at 11 a.m.