Fans packed the bleachers for the first Yeomen match of the school year. The Oberlin College men’s soccer team tipped off the 2004 fall sports season on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over Capital University of Columbus, Ohio.

Oberlin came out strong and controlled the pace of the game during a scoreless first half, but Capital picked up their play after halftime as Oberlin’s energy faded. With a number of saves by junior goalie Lincoln Smith and some fast recovery by senior center back Nick Franco the Yeomen were able to keep the score at 0-0.

Finally, in the 78th minute, Oberlin was able to find the back of the net. Fittingly, it was last season’s lead scorer, junior David “Turf” Wilson who put in the lone goal. Wilson had sat the bench for the majority of the game due to a pulled hamstring, but wasted no time getting things done after being put in. “His first touch was the first goal,” senior midfielder Vlado Pupinoski said.

Although the team awarded Wilson with the red and white hustle suit, the defeat of Capital would not have been possible without the hustle of the backs and the midfield on defense. Pupinoski was especially impressed with the individual efforts of first-year midfielders Tim Kovanda, Sam Zackheim and Ross Myers.

The Yeomen are optimistic about the remainder of the season. “It was a good start for us to get the win, but in terms of functioning as a team we can only improve,” Franco said.

The Oberlin men’s soccer team will return to the field on Saturday, Sept. 4, as they compete against Penn State-Altoona in the Westminster Tournament.