NCAC-Champion OWU Too Much for Scots on Tuesday

Alex Morriss

The College of Wooster fell behind 7-1 less than a third of the way through Tuesday’s match-up with 20th-ranked Ohio Wesleyan University and was never able to put together a run of goals itself, as the Battling Bishops went on to an 18-7 victory, which clinched them the North Coast Athletic Conference title outright at a cold, wet John P. Papp Stadium.

Wooster had upended Ohio Wesleyan 7-5 last season to help create a three-way tie for the   conference crown, and was hoping to do so again on Tuesday, but the Bishops would have no part of that.

Ohio Wesleyan (8-3, 5-0 NCAC) scored twice in the first 5:12 before Hisham Hassan put the Scots (5-7, 2-2 NCAC) on the board. The Bishops added two more to take a 4-1 advantage by the end of the first quarter, during which they outshot Wooster 12-3.

In a 2:26 stretch early in the second quarter, Ohio Wesleyan exploded for three more goals to take the aforementioned six-goal lead. The Scots played even with the Bishops for the rest of the half, going into the break down 9-3.

Junior long-stick midfielder Alex Morriss scored a rare goal for Wooster to start the second half, however, Ohio Wesleyan came right back with three unanswered scores to make it 12-4. Morriss threw in his third goal of the season moments later, but the Bishops came right back with another three-goal run (15-5), increasing its margin to double-digits with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.

In addition to Morriss’ two goals, Shawn Handy had a three-point day for the Scots with two goals and one assist and Eric McKinney added one goal and one helper.

Top scoring honors went to Ohio Wesleyan’s John Schlegel, who tallied nine points on three goals and six assists. Brian McCommons registered four goals and Chris Eccles three in the win.

Wooster goalie Courter Shimeall came up with 12 saves while being peppered by 38 shot attempts, and his counterpart, Paul McCommons, posted a nine-save outing.

The Scots get right back in action Wednesday afternoon, as they’ll wrap up their conference slate with a trip to Oberlin College (3-9, 0-3 NCAC). Game time is set for 4:30 p.m.