After starting the season with a 4-3 record, it appeared as though the Wooster field hockey team needed a miracle to make the playoffs. Riding a three-game winning streak into last weekend, the Scots had an opportunity to pull off that miracle with two more matches on tap. Through a combination of skill, grit and determination, the Scots triumphed over Transylvania University and Wittenberg University, giving them a fighting chance to make the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) playoff tournament.
On Saturday, Oct. 21, the Fighting Scots celebrated Senior Day and hoped to end it with the sweet taste of victory. In the first quarter, Wooster took advantage of their adrenaline and started fast. Just one minute and 45 seconds after the opening center pass, Lizzie Hardy ’26 opened the scoring for the Scots. Less than three minutes later, Mary Johnson ’26 scored her sixth goal of the season thanks to an assist from captain Maddie Peek ’24. The Scots continued their early onslaught with another Hardy goal, this time on a Ciara O’Connor ’24 assist, that gave Wooster a 3-0 lead after the first quarter.
Despite having a comfortable 3-0 lead in the second quarter, Wooster continued to keep their foot on the gas. The Scots extended their lead to 5-0 thanks to two goals by Johnson in the second and third quarters respectively. In addition to Johnson’s hat trick, Wooster out-shot Transylvania 12-3 during the final three periods of play. Despite a Transylvania goal late in the fourth quarter, the Scots walked away with a dominant victory.
Wooster looked to carry the momentum against rival Wittenberg University on Sunday, Oct. 22. In this game, it was the Scots’ defense that carried the day. The Scots allowed just three shots from the Tigers, only one of which was on goal. Offensively, Hardy led the way, scoring goals in the second and fourth quarters en route to a 2-0 Wooster victory. The win was Wooster’s eighth shutout of the season. Speaking about the Scots’ ferocious defense, goalkeeper Cate Barkdoll ’26, said “the fact that in four of those games I didn’t even touch the ball…shows that the field players are keeping possession of the ball and control of the game.”
After the victories over the weekend, the Scots extended their winning streak to five games and played their way into playoff contention. Captain Olivia Nengel ’24 credited the team for their mental toughness during this streak. “I’m proud of everyone for their determination and action,” Nengel said, “the team shares the goal of winning and with the culture that has been cultivated over these past few months and years, winning is definitely possible.” Barkdoll stated that returning to “playing Wooster field hockey” has in large part driven the winning streak.
Due to the winning streak, Wooster still has an opportunity to qualify for the NCAC playoffs. To accomplish this feat, they must hand undefeated Ohio Wesleyan their first loss of the season on Saturday, Oct. 28. The Scots know this is a tall order, but feel that they can stage the upset. Nengel emphasized that if Wooster can “play the type and rhythm of field hockey that we have been practicing this entire season,” then “we have a really good chance of defeating Ohio Wesleyan.” In addition to emerging victorious against Ohio Wesleyan, the Scots will also need Wittenberg to win in their match against Kenyon College to make the playoffs. Regardless of the weekend’s outcomes, the Scots’ run has been nothing short of magical.
Wooster travels to Delaware, Ohio to take on Ohio Wesleyan on the road in their regular season finale on Saturday, Oct. 28.