A fourth quarter surge of three goals within a minute and a half by College of Wooster proved to be the difference in the men’s lacrosse team’s 11-9 loss to the Fighting Scots.
Sophomore William Dorger started the game off with an unassisted goal, but Wooster responded with two goals to end the first quarter with a 2-1 lead.
Wooster kept their momentum rolling into the second quarter as they scored three consecutive goals to give them a 5-1 lead. Junior Ben Sherman and sophomore Steen Jorgenson stopped the bleeding with a goal from each of them which cut the lead to 5-3 and kept the Tigers in striking distance.
The third quarter was a wash as both teams got three balls past the opposing team’s goalie. Dorger, sophomore Lewis Andrews and senior Sean Coyne scored the three goals for the team.
Dorger led off the fourth quarter with a goal to cut the Fighting Scots’ lead to 8-7 with 11:35 remaining. Wooster did not allow the Tigers to capitalize on their momentum as they put together three straight goals to extend their lead to 11-7. Jorgenson and senior Adam Bridges were able to end the game with a goal each, but it was not enough to erase Wooster’s run.
Andrews says the team needs to improve on making winning plays when the game is close late.
“We need to work on minimizing errors during crucial moments in the game,” Andrews said. “Mistakes are going to happen, but when there is not a lot of time left and it is a close game we have focus and make sure that we make the smart play.”
Wooster gained their most significant separation in shots. They had a 63-33 shot advantage, as well as a 29-16 advantage in shots on goal. The Fighting Scots held a 31-29 advantage in ground balls as sophomore Joe Garvey paced the way with four ground balls himself.
Wooster’s Erik Barroso won 12 faceoffs, while Garvey won 11.
Despite the loss, senior Joe Ross believes the team came out of the game with a positive morale.
“It was a great team effort all around and arguably the best we have ever played as a team,” Ross said. “Unfortunately, our team wasn't able to come away with a win.”
Ross says the team did not take much time to get over the loss and move their focus to their next opponent, Wittenberg University.
“Wittenberg will be a tough test,” Ross said. “But we have been watching film and have been scouting them, so we will be ready come Wednesday.”
The loss drops DePauw’s record to 6-4 overall and 1-3 in North Coast Athletic Conference play. Wooster improves to 9-5 overall and 5-0 in the conference. The team is back in action on Wednesday as they travel to Wittenberg for a 4 p.m. contest.