Travis Marmon
Sports Editor
The Wooster men’s soccer team is hoping to avoid another mid-season skid this season after they finished 2011 with a 6-9-1 record (2-7 NCAC). The Scots were at 4-2-1 before Oct. 1 when, starting with Wabash University, they dropped six straight games.
Wooster’s best hope lies in some returning offensive firepower. Noah Wagemann ’14 led the team with seven goals and four assists last year, and should be the team’s top player again. The Scots also return goal-scorers from last season in midfielders Liam Pender ’14 and Zach Jergan ’14.
Taylor Takacs ’13 will be minding the net for his final season. Takacs made 95 saves in 15 games last season, posting two shutouts. His senior leadership will add to an experienced set of defenders including George Skelly ’14, Evan Severs ’15 and David Mallett ’13, who along with Wagemann earned an honorable mention as part of the All-NCAC team.
Following the Marietta College Classic this weekend in Marietta, Ohio, Wooster will have a good chance to start strong. Eight of their next nine games will be at home, including a match against John Carroll University at John P. Papp Stadium on Sep. 19.
The first game at Marietta will be against Methodist University tomorrow at 1 p.m. The Scots’ home opener is Sep. 8 against Heidelberg University. Wooster played the ‘Berg to a 1-1 draw last season at a neutral site game in Gambier, Ohio.
The women’s soccer team is coming off a solid season, finishing 2011 at 9-7-3 (4-1-3 NCAC). However, they lost six starters to graduation this year. The remaining experienced players will be the core of the team.
The Fighting Scots return their top two scorers, Paige Piper ’13 and Erin Davison ’13. Piper recorded 11 goals and three assists last season, earning her first-team All-NCAC honors. Midfielder Davison scored five goals and had two assists last year.
There will be some experience at forward with the return of Erika Kay ’13 and Jenna Hohan ’13. Two-time all-conference midfielder Kendal Wong ’13 will also help the team out up front.
Three defensive starters were lost to graduation as well, so there will be pressure on Michele Ring ’13 to stay strong in goal. Ring made 75 saves last season while allowing just 22 goals. Her goals against average was a mere 1.21 per game, and she was an integral part of the team’s success.
The Fighting Scots will travel to Carlisle, Penn. this weekend for games against Marywood University and Penn State Harrisburg. On Sep. 5 the Scots will return for the start of five straight non-conference home games.
They will host Marietta College, Baldwin Wallace University, Ohio Northern University, Case Western Reserve University and Washington & Jefferson College before going back on the road.