The Oberlin Review
<< Front page Sports October 27, 2006

Field Hockey Loses Heartbreaker in Overtime

While aspirations for a post-season playoff berth have faded after losing three of the last four conference games, heads are high, fans are cheering and hockey sticks are clacking as forcefully as ever.

At this point, when the season’s end is near in sight, the team is playing with arduous zeal, never lying down. They are sticking together through rough times, finishing hard despite the overall 5-10 record and 3-7 in the conference.

The most recent game against Wittenberg proved to be the third loss in an overtime game this season. Recovering from a 1-0 early deficit, senior Claire Cheney and sophomore Abigail Brox scored two unassisted goals to gain the lead. However, Wittenberg’s Katy Barrett would tip in a shot by Caroline Mason, forcing the game into overtime.

In the final two minutes of the extra period, Wittenberg stole the game when Holly McHugh capitalized on a penalty corner. For the game, Oberlin was heavily out-shot 17-33 and goalie sophomore Lauren Malinowski added a whopping 18 saves to her league-leading total.

“It was a good game, we played hard,” said Head Coach Deb Ranieri after the game. The Yeowomen certainly did leave everything on the field, sloshing through a wet and slippery field deep into overtime.

The Yeowomen’s last victory occurred during a recent fall break trip to Indiana.

They began the blustery break from school with a weekend jaunt in which they went up against Earlham College and DePauw University.

Oberlin put in a good showing against Earlham, with two goals by Brox in the first half and a hat trick by first-year Catherine Meredith in the second. The team stepped up their play and demonstrated that they still are a fiery force in the conference with a 5-3 victory.

“We looked great,” said Malinowski. “It’s been a rough year with injuries and a lack of subs but in the Earlham game we really fought hard together and eventually got the job done.”

The Yeowomen took to the field at DePauw with confident strides and played one of their better games despite losing 1-0. DePauw scored in the 25 minute and Oberlin was unable to answer back even though both teams were evenly matched and had similar scoring percentages.

“We are building a dynasty and in the Depauw game we played like the budding powerhouse that we are going to be,” said Allen. “We fought really hard. We just couldn’t get a goal in. DePauw knows that things will be different next year. We have a stack of strong returning players.”

Even though the field hockey team has had an unsatisfactory season compared to last year’s NCAA bound squad, stellar play by the upperclassmen and a group of talented young first-years are proof that the program has a bright future.

The Yeowomen will take on Earlham College at home on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. for their final game of the season.


 
 
   

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