Coming off a disappointing start to the season with an 8-20 conference loss to Ohio Wesleyan, the best performance that the men’s lacrosse team has put up against the Battling Bishops in more than a decade, the Yeomen traveled to Virginia to square off against the Shenandoah Hornets last Saturday.

The Yeomen, playing outdoors for only the second time this season, put up a valiant effort against a side that came out firing on all cylinders, lighting up the net six times in the first quarter alone. Senior Bryan Harfenist scored for the Yeomen to end the period in a disappointing 1-6 score.

Junior defender Timmons Erickson was not too thrilled with the opening quarter. “We came out flat,” he said. “It’s what happens when you can only play indoors and [do] not get out on a full field.”

The second quarter was an evenly played affair as Oberlin came out playing hard and finding their form. Harfenist, fellow senior Ian Mark and first-year Erik Strand found the net in the second quarter to end the half 4-10 in favor of the Hornets.

Defense became the main initiative for the Yeomen as they only let in two goals in the second half, one in each quarter. “We picked up our play in the second half,” said Erickson, who is also a New Zealand national team hopeful. “We ended the match on a good note.”

Strand, along with classmates Nick Sherman and Alex Jacobs, found the net in the third to draw the Yeomen within striking distance of a Hornet side that seemed to have used their entire stinging ability in the first quarter.

Down 7-11 in the fourth, the Yeomen found themselves looking for a way to penetrate the defensive-minded Shenandoah side. Although the team found some life midway through the quarter to draw within three with a goal by Jacobs, Shenandoah rattled the cage once again with 1:20 left in the game, ending a possible Oberlin revival. Despite being four goals behind, the Yeomen played with a never-say-die attitude until the final whistle blew as goals from Jacobs and senior Ian Mark finalized the score 10-12.

All that can be taken from this match are high points, as the Yeomen came out of their Jones Fieldhouse cage once again and performed valiantly. Hopefully they can keep that momentum rolling into the week when they play conference foes Wittenberg University in Springfield Saturday at noon. The Yeomen play their home opener against the Fighting Scots of Wooster College at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.