Box Score The Big Red is back in the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament Championship and they will face a familiar foe following Thursday's 4-1 dismantling of No. 3 seed, Wooster. The victory will send second-seeded Denison to Greencastle, Ind. for a rematch with top-seeded DePauw.
DU turned in arguably its most complete performance of the season in today's semifinal match. The defense was quick to the ball and time after time, moved it swiftly into the offensive third. A number of fast break attempts were created by the hustle of the Big Red midfield and backline.
Denison's first goal came in the 10th minute after Wooster misplayed a penalty corner attempt. The ball went by two Fighting Scots and a DU defender scooped the ball past midfield to a streaking Catie Merrick. The senior dribbled the length of the field, splitting two defenders near the cage before finishing for her 20th goal of the season.
In the 27th minute DU struck again, this time as Kate Hackett sent a pass from just inside the shooting circle to a waiting Katie McMahon five yards in front of the goal. McMahon's one-timer from Hackett put the Big Red up 2-0 heading into the second half.
After the break Wooster came out strong, and just 2:07 into the half, Nikki Sever slipped a pass from the right side of the goal to a Claire Nelson-Johnson who knocked in her 24th goal of the season.
Just as it looked like the Fighting Scots may make a run, Taylor Bacon scored off a feed from Merrick just three minutes later, pushing the Big Red lead back to 3-1 with 30 minutes to play.
Less than five minutes later, Merrick would score for the second time. This time Merrick slipped a shot through traffic for her 21st goal of the year, setting the final at 4-1.
Denison held a 14-13 advantage in shots and each team attempted eight penalty corners. Brittany Benson finished with six saves for the Big Red while Liz Plumley ended with four saves for Wooster.
Saturday's championship match in Greencastle, Ind. will begin at noon.
