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By Sehban Zaidi

The Oberlin College men’s soccer team went into fall break poised to qualify for the NCAC tournament. However, back-to-back losses to Ohio Wesleyan and Denison University over the break eliminated the Yeomen from postseason play.

The Yeomen sustained a 2-0 loss at Denison Oct. 18 that dropped their record to 3-2-1 in the NCAC and 6-6-3 overall.

The following Friday Oberlin traveled to Ohio Wesleyan but once again sustained a loss.

Oberlin put in two own goals on the way to a 5-1 loss. Sophomore David Wilson scored the lone goal for the Yeomen. Despite injuries, Wilson has scored five goals and accumulated six assists this season, making him a possible candidate for the all-conference team.

“Things just didn’t fall our way in the Denison and OWU games so we lost control of our destiny,” head coach Blake New said, “and unfortunately no other teams in the bottom half could come up with a performance to help us.”

This week the Yeomen rediscovered their form and brushed aside Hiram College in an away game. Two goals from senior Jesse Kipp, who has eight for the season, and a goal from senior Issaku Kohl ensured a comfortable 3-0 win for Oberlin.

Sophomore goalkeeper Lincoln Smith shared the shutout with first-year Clayton Combe. Smith’s emergence this semester and Combe’s potential have led to a goalkeeping renaissance after years of problems between the posts.

“I thought we played well under the circumstances,” New said. “We have solidified our spot in the conference at fifth and are obviously disappointed that we won’t be going to the tournament, but they picked us ninth going into the year so we have turned a few heads.”

The Hiram win raises Oberlin’s record to 4-3-1 in the NCAC and 7-6-3 overall, leaving them poised to finish the season on a positive note. A victory in the home game against Wittenberg tomorrow at 1 p.m. would ensure the Yeomen a winning record both in the conference and overall.

“We will build on this season for next year and if we win Saturday we will be the first men’s team at Oberlin to be over .500 in ten years,” New said. “It has been 14 years since a soccer team here has been above .500 in conference play.”

“The real challenge will be Saturday against Wittenberg, and there’s a lot on the line,” senior midfielder Danny Homan said. “If we win, we’ll be the first soccer team in years to have both a winner record and a commanding conference record (5-3-1), which will provide a good base support for our new AD’s Project .500 and for Oberlin sports in the future.”

“Saturday we will say goodbye to five really good teammates,” New added. “It is the send off game for [seniors] Jesse Kipp, Danny Homan, Issaku Kohl, Phil Kreniske, and Paul Park, all who have played an important part in our road to the top.”