Ending the season in style, and getting muddy in the process, the field hockey team defeated Earlham 6-3, closing the season with an overall 6-10 record (4-7 NCAC) while Earlham fell to 2-15 (0-12 NCAC). 

On a muddy field that slowed the game down significantly, the Yeowomen showed poise as they played their final match.  First-year Catherine Meredith, who boasts a league-leading 14 goals, struck first, assisted by junior Ashley Allen, recording her seventh assist of the year.  Earlham countered with a goal by junior Anna Benfield, and later went ahead with a goal by Becca Jordan.  Senior co-captain Samantha Kyrkostas attempted to equalize with a shot on goal but Earlham would get the last punch of the round, scoring with less than one minute left in the half.

Not lying down, Oberlin came back with fire, scoring four unanswered goals.  Meredith broke the ice, tying up the game when she received a pass from Kyrkostas.  Two minutes later, Allen would strike with a well-placed goal.  To cap off the victory, senior Claire Cheney and sophomore Abigail “Prunie” Brox would find the back of the goal.  Junior Lauren Malinowski continued to dominate the mud pit, racking up 13 saves on the day, to add to a league-leading 140 saves.

Featuring the final showings of captains Kyrkostas and Cheney, the victory will leave these seniors and the returning class with a good taste in their mouths, perhaps helping to provide momentum for next year.  There’s no doubt that next year’s squad will be chock full of talent with Meredith, Allen and Brox leading the offense, and junior Christine Politis, sophomore Holly Sloofman (league leader in defensive saves) and Malinowski on defense. 

Despite the season’s losing record, Malinowski is justified and said that “We were up against the ropes the entire season.” She added that, by not having many subs, the team was physically outmatched by squads with more numbers.  Still, Lauren adds that she is “proud of how we played.”