Over the past two weeks, the Oberlin men’s soccer team has improved its record from an overall record 4-3-4 (conference 2-1-1) to 7-4-5 (4-2-2), and has established itself as a conference contender by toppling Earlham College, College of Wooster, Kenyon College and holding Denison University to a tie, barring a minor setback against Ohio Wesleyan.

On Tuesday, Oct. 24, Oberlin played its final regular season home game against second-place Denison. The Big Red entered the game on a roll, with a 6-1-0-conference record, only losing to Ohio Wesleyan. The Yeomen, coming in on a two-game winning streak, needed a victory in order to have a chance to reach second place.

It was an even game, as both teams matched up well. Denison narrowly outshot Oberlin 16-13. Oberlin’s senior tri-captain goalkeeper Clayton Combe made six saves, recording his seventh shutout of the season. After ending regulation goalless, neither team could muster any offense in the overtime periods. The game ended in a 0-0 tie. The Oberlin defense produced another fine performance, with senior and tri-captain Monty Lobe, juniors Ross Myers and Tim Kovanda and sophomore Kyle Taljan keeping Denison’s offense at bay. Oberlin had its fair share of attacks, but could not finish any opportunities. A constant battle in the midfield kept pressure off Oberlin’s back four and kept the game interesting.

While students went home to kick-back and relax, the Yeomen were fighting for their playoff lives. On Oct. 21, Oberlin traveled to Kenyon College in need of a win. Where Oberlin struggled to keep possession, they made up for it in defensive intensity and quality finishing, topping the Lords 3-0. Though both teams were evenly matched, the OC outshot Kenyon 10-5 and won the corner kick advantage 7-6.

Oberlin applied offensive pressure to earn an early goal 10 minutes in when sophomore forward Luke Hoffman beautifully converted a cross from first-year Matt Aucunas. The OC scored again with four minutes left in the half, off an amazing header by junior Sam Zackheim from an excellent cross from Taljan. Sophomore midfielder Zack ‘Lulu’ Lewis ensured victory with a late goal in the 86th minute off a pass from senior forward Tetteh Morton. Myers also had a header off of a corner kick that appeared to go in, but the ref waived it off.

A week earlier, the Yeomen defeated previously second-place Wooster 1-0 on Oct. 14. After beating the Fighting Scots for the first time in a while last season, Oberlin was keen to keep its streak alive. The victory was hard fought, as both teams were evenly matched, but towards the middle of the second half Oberlin began to take the upper hand and control the game. Oberlin outshot Wooster 14-10 and had a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks. The game’s only goal was from Tesler in the 10th minute on a well-worked individual effort.

On Oct. 11, Oberlin traveled to Ohio Wesleyan, ranked fifth in the nation at the time. The Yeomen came out strong in the first half, pressuring the home team and creating a few decent opportunities. The first half was back and forth, with Oberlin being outshot 5-9.

This was not the case in the second half, as incessant Bishop pressure flustered Oberlin’s play. The Yeomen were dominated in the second half, being outshot 4-17, and got scored on with about 20 minutes to go. Lobe and Myers had very strong performances, helping keep Oberlin in the game. The Yeomen lost 0-2, but this game showed the Yeomen could battle with one of the nation’s top teams.

Oberlin entertained Earlham on Oct. 7, thrashing the Quakers 4-0. The Earlham defensive was no match for the OC offensive threat, who outshot Earlham 15-3 and won the corner kick advantage 10-2. The OC drew blood early when Tesler earned the first goal off a corner from Lewis in the fourth minute. In the 16 minute, Zackheim scored off an assist from first-year Skyler Dum.

The Yeomen were not satisfied with a 2-0 lead and continued to pressure the Quakers in the second half. Two goals within three minutes of each other helped put the game out of reach for Earlham. Sophomore Michael Mullaley grabbed an unassisted goal in the 74 minute, followed by a 77 minute strike from Morton off an assist from senior Noah Cecil.

The OC will travel to Wabash College this Saturday to play its final regular season game. The team is currently in third place but needs to win in order to secure its playoff future.