Coming off a four-game winning streak over spring break, the women’s lacrosse team entered conference play full of confidence with big matches against the Wittenberg Tigers and the Denison Big Red. Strong performances by young players coupled with upper-class leadership helped the women slaughter the Tigers, but the team could not stop the second half comeback by Denison.

The first conference game of the year was one of much anticipation as the Yeowomen had an overall record of 4-1 and had their season hopes higher than they had been in a very long time.

The game started off rocky as the Tigers scored the opening goal. However, as she has done so many times before, sophomore Lela Hull came through when her team needed it most and scored a matching goal and another pivotal goal to give Oberlin the lead it would never again relinquish.

The women were confident going into the second half with a 7-4 lead. The strong force of the OC defense kept the Tigers offense at bay, as the Yeowomen’s went on a scoring spree. Junior Kira “Brick” Thorien, playing her first year as goaltender, has earned much respect by becoming one of the strongest goalies in the conference.

Thorien’s defensive prowess, along with the offensive artillery of first-year stars Scarlett Prati and Emma Edmondson, sealed Wittenberg’s fate with a final score of 14-7. The successful hunt gave the ladies as many conference wins as they had last season — as well as momentum heading into the game against the Big Red.

The Yeowomen came out stumbling against Denison on Tuesday, as they went down 3-0. The players kept their heads high and focused on what had to be done. Keeping composure after trailing early, Coach Deb Ranieri gave the go-ahead to Prati (nicknamed “H-Bomb” for her offensive abilities), who helped give Oberlin a 9-7 lead heading into halftime.

However, the Big Red responded with a strong second half. The OC defense fought well, forcing 20 turnovers, but they were unable to slow down the landslide of goals where the Big Red outscored the Yeowomen warriors 11-3. This led to the OC’s first conference loss of the season with a final of 18-12. 

Even though Denison walked away victorious, the Yeowomen look to the next couple of games with high expectations of keeping the success of the early season going. This Saturday, the women start a two game homestand against Puget Sound and then again Thursday facing the College of Wooster.