After beating the Kenyon College Ladies on Wednesday 1-0 in the first round of the NCAC tournament, the Fighting Scots defeated the Wittenberg University Tigers (15-4, 11-1 NCAC) for the NCAC title in the last 14 seconds of the game.
The Scots’ final match up against Wittenberg proved be one of their most intense matches of the season.† The teams were tied with three goals a piece until Stephanie Standera ’11 scored in the last minute to hand the Scots the NCAC title.
This victory lifted the Scots to their third straight NCAC championship. This championship gives the Scots an automatic bid to play in the NCAA Div. III Championship tournament.
The Scots entered this match having split their regular season games against the Wittenberg Tigers, beating the Tigers 3-1 in Springfield on Sept. 11 and losing on Oct. 2 at home in an intense overtime match ending in a score of 2-3. Saturday’s match started off poorly for the Scots as the Tigers took a 2-1 lead going into the half. Standera scored Wooster’s only goal in the first half by knocking a loose ball into Wittenberg’s goal. The Tigers regained the lead however, when Elizabeth Dwyer scored the Tigers’ second goal of the game just before the half.
Eileen Barrer ’11 tied up the match at the beginning of the second half with her 12th goal of the year. The Scots then took the lead for the first time in the match with a goal from Claire Nelson-Johnson ’13. Unfortunately, the Tigers respond once again with a goal from senior Tori Casanta.
The game would remain tied until the final seconds of the second half. Despite several corner opportunities Wittenberg was unable to score. Wooster had several shots blocked by Wittenberg goalie Jenny Schaafsma.† It took a Wooster penalty corner for the game to end when Standera managed to score her ninth goal of the season. The Scots had several team members receive all-tournament team honors, including Standera, Amanda Artman ’10, Josie Rey ’14, Nina Dine ’11.
The Scots made their ninth NCAA Div. III tournament appearance against Juniata College at 2 on Wednesday Nov. 10.
Unfortunately for the Scots, their apperance in the NCAA Div. III tournament ended in a frist-round loss. Juniata College lead the Scots for the entire match eventually putting the Scots away with a 3-0 victory.
However, this loss does not change the fact that the Scots have had a very impressive season. Led by Barrer, Artman and Valora, the Scots proved they are still the most dominant field hockey team in the NCAC.
Although Wooster will graduate six seniors who have all been four-year starters, the Scots will look to repeat their NCAC success next season.