SPRINGFIELD – Junior Josie Bencic scored her first hat trick as a Fighting Scot in a 3-1 win over Wittenberg University on Tuesday as The College of Wooster women's soccer team secured a spot in the ever-approaching North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.
 
In her first multi-goal game of the season, Bencic scored all three of her goals on unassisted fast breaks. In the 37th minute and the first half's lone goal, Bencic gained possession after disrupting a clear attempt and, with the goalkeeper way out of position, made it a 1-0 contest.
 
Less than a minute out of halftime, Bencic struck again to make it a 2-0 game. Yet, Wittenberg was able to answer in the 55th minute as Abby Borland scored past a diving Lucy Carlin.
 
Holding the one goal lead for 30 minutes, Bencic was able to seal the game in the 86th minute, scoring wide from the right side of the box.
 
Bencic has scored in five straight, all five NCAC contests, and moves to a conference-leading 10 goals on the year.
 
Both teams took 14 shots in the game. Carlin ended with five saves.
 
Wooster (9-3-3, 4-0-1) stays unbeaten and atop the NCAC, guaranteeing a spot in the conference tournament even with two games left on the schedule. Wittenberg falls to 4-9-1 overall and 1-4-0 in the NCAC.
 
Wooster returns home for its final two games against two contending teams. They welcome John Carroll University (4-7-4, 2-1-2 NCAC) in the second game of a men's/women's doubleheader on Saturday.