Scots Defeat Nationally-Ranked Ohio Wesleyan 7-5

Shawn Handy finished with two goals and one assist to help lead the Scots past Ohio Wesleyan.

Attackers Shawn Handy and Steve Burton scored back-to-back goals in the fourth quarter, building a 7-4 lead with 5:41 remaining and all but sealing one of biggest victories ever for The College of Wooster men’s lacrosse program, as the Scots upended No. 12 ranked Ohio Wesleyan University 7-5 Tuesday.

It marked Wooster’s first win over Ohio Wesleyan since 1982 — a stretch of 23 games — and keeps the Scots in the hunt for the 2004 North Coast Athletic Conference championship.

Wooster (4-3, 1-1 NCAC) jumped out early via unassisted scores by Burton, Mike MacMaster, and Handy to take a 3-0 lead after one quarter of play. The goals came during a 5:04 stretch.

The host Battling Bishops (4-4, 3-1 NCAC) would pull within one score three times (3-2, 4-3, 5-4), but could not convert an equalizer.

Handy’s three-point game (two goals, one assist) led the Scot offense, while Burton (two goals) and MacMaster (one goal, one assist) each totaled two points. Rounding out Wooster’s scoring were a trio of freshmen, as Andy Boylan and Ryan Trude each had third-quarter goals and David Loudenslager assisted on Handy’s key score in the fourth.

Nearly all of Ohio Wesleyan’s offense came from John Schlegel, who had a hat trick.

Statically, it was a very evenly played game. The Bishops held a narrow advantage in shots (29-26) and the teams finished with 33 groundballs apiece. Also, goalkeepers Courter Shimeall (Wooster) and Paul McCommons (Ohio Wesleyan) each made 12 saves.

The Scots continue NCAC play this Saturday (April 10) with a road trip to Wittenberg University (1-7, 1-2 NCAC) at 1 p.m.