On Nov. 2, the sun was out, the grass was freshly cut and the top-seeded Oberlin field hockey team was on a mission. After clinching the NCAC regular season title with an impressive 13-3-0 overall record and a 7-2-0 conference record, the Yeowomen were more determined than ever to defeat Denison University.

In the first half, the Yeowomen jumped out to a 3-0 lead that proved to be too much for “The Big Red” to overcome, despite their two second half goals. The number one seeded Yeowomen topped Denison 4-2 in the semifinals of the NCAC field hockey championships.

First-year attacker Abigail “Prunie” Brox highlighted the Yeowomen’s win with the team’s first hat trick of the season. Brox struck quickly off a penalty corner hardly three minutes into the game, showing “The Big Red” that the Yeowomen were in control of the game. Her next goal came ten minutes before halftime, and she ended the goal-scoring conquest in the second half, with 20 minutes left in the game. Sophomore (and Review writer) Leslie Ruster added to the Yeowomen’s victory with an unassisted goal in the first half.

Oberlin took 14 shots in the game compared to eight for Denison. Sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Malinowski had five saves.

Rebounding quickly from their season finale loss to Wittenberg, the Yeowomen were focused and ready to win.

“You could feel it during warm-ups today,” senior captain Meg Reitz said. “The team has so much heart, and today was a huge win for us. We just can’t lose focus going into Saturday and finish what we started.”

The Yeowomen will advance to the finals this Saturday afternoon in their quest for the NCAC tournament title. They host second seeded Wooster (8-11 overall and 6-6 in conference play).