After failing to achieve a victory† in their first match against Ohio Weslyan University the Scots suffered a second defeat against Centre College on Saturday.
Despite having three late penalty opportunities at the end of regualtion, the Scots were unable to convert and fell to Centre 1-0. The game’s only goal came courtesey of Centre player Jessica McLean. Wooster’s offense was limited to only six shots on goal with only two in the second half of the game.
Fortunately for the Scots, their game on Tuesday against Denison University would break their two game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the Big Red.
Despite a first half that was largely under Wooster’s control, Denison managed to prevent Wooster’s offense from scoring. Although receiving eight penalty corners, Wooster was unable to put points on the board and both teams left the field scoreless at the end of the first half.
Denison gained momentum in the first few minutes of the second half with a backhanded goal from† Catie Merrick. Fortunately for the Scots, Denison’s celebration didn’t last long as Amanda Artman ’10 managed to score off of a corner opportunity. Artman accurately deflected a pass from Stephanie Standera ’11 to tie the score at one goal apiece.
Shortly following Artman’s goal the game was postponed due to incliment weather. Over an hour and a half later, play resumed and the Scots managed to quickly push deep into Denison’s defensive zone. Artman once again scored, tipping in a deflected shot from Eileen Barrer ’11. This was the deciding goal in what turned out to be a very defensively oriented match.
The Scots defense was lead by goalie Liz Plumley ’13, who had managed seven saves at the end of the match. Two of these saves came against Denison breakaways during the first half of the match. Without those impressive saves the outcome of the match could have been very disheartening for the now 1-2 Scots.
Captain Kate Valora ’11 said, “Yesterday’s win was essential to the team’s emotional and mental state. It’s hard knowing that you’re one of the best teams in the conference, yet lost two games back-to-back. However, our main focus for the Denison game was to focus on that game and that game only. We know that you can’t dwell on past games or practices and you can only focus on that present moment. Our team stepped to every loose ball, fought for possession, and came out victorious because we never let up.”
With two goals on Tuesday Artman became the all-time North Coast Athletic Conference leader in goals scored. Those goals bring Artman’s total to a very impressive 79 totalgoals. Amy Kraus, a former player for Wittenberg University from 1994-1997, held the previous record.
Tomorrow the Scots will head on their first road trip of the 2010 season to Wittenberg University where they will play their first away match at 1 p.m.
Wittenberg is one of the Scots’ biggest rivals in the NCAC. In addition to this intense NCAC rivalry, Wooster will go head-to-head with its former player and assistant coach Kelley Hubbell, who is in her first season as the Tigers’ head coach. Joining her on the Tigers’ coaching staff is former Fighting Scot Brittany Montgomery ’10, who is now Wittenberg University’s assistant coach. With this increased tension Saturday’s game should make for an excellent match as these two squads look to build momentum for the new season.