BEREA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University men's soccer team opened up the new Tressel Field surface in fine fashion as the Yellow Jackets defeated The College of Wooster 2-1 in non-conference action inside George Finnie Stadium.

This 2018 matchup had shades of last year's game except BW (2-1) was able to flip the script by scoring first and forcing Wooster (1-1) into an attempt at a late comeback. To start the game, however, the Fighting Scots were able to work the ball on offense and put the Yellow Jackets under a lot of pressure, firing off three shots in the first five minute before BW was able to absorb the pressure and move the ball past midfield. 

After two good looks at goal, it wasn't until the 21st minute when junior Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference forward Cannon Dees (Berea/ Berea-Midpark) played a one-touch pass to junior two-time All-OAC and Academic All-OAC forward Danny Ruple (Berea/ Berea-Midpark) that he rifled off his left foot and into the back of the net for a 1-0 BW lead. Wooster had its fair share of scoring opportunities, though, as the Fighting Scots took nine shots in the period; however, none were on goal.

Physical play characterized the second half but the Yellow Jackets remained unfazed by the uptick in intensity. Dees rose to the occasion as he picked up a header cross from junior Academic All-OAC forward Joey Geither (Parma/Normandy) and chipped the ball into the net to extend the Yellow Jackets' lead to 2-0 in the 63rd minute. The Fighting Scots would finally get on the scoreboard in the 79th minute thanks to an own goal. BW would withstand two Wooster shots and two corner kicks in the final 11 minutes to seal the victory.

In the net, junior goalkeeper Patrick Mehal (Richfield/Revere) picked up his second win in as many starts and only had to record one save thanks to the play of his back line of senior captain JT Taubeneck (Parma/Normandy), senior Academic All-OAC defender Jeremy Foust (Strongsville), freshman defender Trevor Hamm (Strongsville) and freshman defender Reed Watkins (Munster, Ind.).  

BW will begin a four-game road trip on Friday, Sept. 7, when the Yellow Jackets head west to take on Manchester (Ind.) University at 5 p.m.