Men's soccer gets pretty loss, ugly win

The men's soccer team had two boosts this week in a close loss against a powerful Wittenberg University team Saturday and in a victory over a not-so-powerful Capital University team Tuesday.

Senior goalkeeper Dave Kumpe had his best game of the year in the 1-0 loss to Wittenberg Saturday. His stops included a first-half block on a penalty kick and a total of 14 saves - many of them under pressure.

The only ball that got by Kumpe came near the end of the first-half, during a 10-minute period when Wittenberg kept the ball on Oberlin's defensive end and got off several shots.

In the second half of the game, which coach Chris Barker called the team's best in weeks, the Yeomen didn't have the stamina to take over. But neither did Wittenberg.

"The opposing coach said we're the best league opponent they've played," Barker said. "But they haven't played Ohio Wesleyan or Kenyon yet."

The loss for Oberlin wasn't what the team wanted, but the game may have been just what the team needed.

"It's frustrating, but especially since we haven't played that well, it was good to play well," Kumpe said.

Oberlin's 2-0 victory Tuesday over Capital was not as pretty a game, though it looks better in the standings for the Yeomen.

Oberlin's first goal came early in the first half when senior midfielder Josh Adams lofted the ball past everyone from the top of the goal box. The Yeomen were so surprised the ball went in that there was a delay before the celebration.

Oberlin attacked hard throughout the game and managed to get off 39 shots, though many of them flew over the goal.

Sophomore forward Jabali Sawicki put the ball past the Capital keeper in the second half on the rebound of another of Oberlin's many shots.

"Against Capital, we made all the right shots," Barker said. "We just didn't strike it very well."

Oberlin's record now is 3-8 and 0-3 in conference play. Five of the six remaining games for Oberlin are against conference opponents, including unbeaten Ohio Wesleyan University, which is Barker's alma mater.

Barker predicted five wins out of the remaining games. One of the biggest challenges will be a game at Allegheny Oct. 26 when Kumpe has a job interview. That leaves the team with only one goalkeeper, junior Brendan Cody, who is normally a defender, and who is currently out of play with an injury.

Senior sweeper David Reeves was hobbled with a foot injury and sat out nearly half of the Wittenberg game, which was testing for Oberlin defense - a group that doesn't have the depth that the offense does.

All six Oberlin forwards - four of whom have started this season - had substantial playing time in the Capital game.

After fall break, several reserve squad players will join the varsity team.

Kicking it to Capital: First-year Zach Fried passes to junior Sam Krasnow in the 2-0 men's soccer victory over Capital University Tuesday. (photo by Matt Sewell)