The College of Wooster field hockey team's strong defensive performance was spoiled by Centre College's Claire Martin, who sent the Colonels home 1-0 winners with 3:42 remaining in the second overtime period on Saturday afternoon at John P. Papp Stadium.

Centre (1-0) played the ball into the offensive end, where forward Taylor Fuqua gained possession. Marin was well-positioned for the game-winning chance, having already established her spot on the field behind Wooster's defense. Fuqua played the ball ahead to Martin, who fired the winning goal into the lower right corner of the cage.

At the onset of the second overtime, junior Audrey McKenna broke up a Centre cross attempt and quickly transitioned Wooster to the attacking end. Senior Lizzie Hardy's shot was blocked, and the Scots were unable to convert on a penalty corner shot played to the near post in traffic.

After a Centre green card, Hardy and McKenna were denied by the Colonels' Eliza Hensley just in front of the cage. At the other end, Martin's earlier bid at the winner was turned aside by senior Cate Barkdoll, for Wooster's 'keeper's 13th save of the contest.

Wooster survived a scare at the end of the first overtime when Martin deflected a loose ball deep in the attacking end to herself and sent the open shot wide of the cage.

Near the end of regulation, Barkdoll stepped up for Wooster, recording back-to-back saves in the 56th minute following a Centre penalty corner insertion.

Wooster's best chance arguably came in the third quarter when the Scots had Colonel 'keeper Addie Sheridan drawn away from the end line. That led to a good Hardy look that unfortunately hit off the post.

Wooster had the better chances in the first half, settling for a 9-7 edge in shots after 30 minutes of scoreless action. Centre stepped up the offensive intensity post-halftime to finish with a 26-18 lead in shots.

Centre had three goalies split time in cage. They combined for five saves, eight fewer than Barkdoll's game-high.

The teams combined for nine penalty corners in the game.

Next, Wooster hosts Marian University (0-0) at noon on Saturday, Sept. 6.