Scots’ Three-Game N.C. Trip Highlighted By 14-9 Win at Methodist

Annie Steward

A season-opening trip in North Carolina for The College of Wooster women’s lacrosse team over spring break resulted in a 1-2 record, as the Fighting Scots started with a 14-9 win at Methodist University but then followed with setbacks to Greensboro College (5-10) and Guilford College (12-20).

In its 2007 debut, Wooster received a boost from senior attacker Annie Steward, who accounted for a career-high six points, including four goals. The Fighting Scots jumped out to a 6-3 halftime lead, behind three Steward goals, and in the second, they also scored six of the first nine to effectively put the game away via a 12-6 cushion at the 8:39 mark. Complementing Steward was sophomore Carly Carey with a hat trick and one assist.

Against Greensboro, Wooster ran into a tough defense. After the Scots opened the scoring on an unassisted Carey goal, the Pride held their visitors to just one more over a 20-minute stretch while reeling off seven scores to take a 7-2 lead. Wooster pulled within 7-4 early in the second half, but then went on another 20-minute scoreless streak as Greensboro built a 9-4 advantage late in the game.

The Scots’ third contest of the trip was a back-and-forth offensive battle. Wooster scored six goals during each half, but it wasn’t enough as Guilford’s Mary Hutchins tallied a school-record 11 points on seven goals and four assists. The score was tied 2-2 and 3-3 before the Quakers went on a 6-2 rally, and they were ahead 9-6 at intermission. The Scots had the first tally of the second only to see Guilford run off four in a row (13-7) and they never got any closer than a four-goal margin the rest of the way.

If the spring break trip is any indication, Wooster will have a lot of depth on the offensive end this season. Twelve different players scored goals, led by Carey and Steward with six apiece. They each contributed a pair of assists as well, while also of note, Hillary Darragh recorded two goals and four assists, Emily Baab registered four goals, and Taryn Higgins found the back of the net three times.

Defensively, Jamie Dannenberg played every minute in goal and combined for 16 saves.

Next up for the Scots is their home opener on Wednesday against Notre Dame (Ohio) College (4-2) at 4:30 p.m.