Women's soccer bows out in OT

Oberlin comes from behind to force game into overtime

The women's soccer team came back from a 2-0 deficit to send its season finalé against Kenyon Saturday into overtime.

Oberlin's 4-2 loss ended the Yeowomen's season with a 6-9-2 record, including 1-6-1 in league games.

First-year Emily Henry sparked the Yeowomen's surge with a rebound goal off the Kenyon keeper in the 70th minute.

With a little more than a minute left in regulation, sophomore Lisa Novins tied the game 2-2, with another goal assisted by the Kenyon keeper.

The Yeowomen aggressively challenged the Kenyon keeper and put potential saves, saves if she had held onto them, into the back of the net.

"We played one of the best halves of soccer all year long to get back into it," New said.

The Yeowomen couldn't keep up the intesity for the full 30-minute overtime period. In the third minute of overtime Kenyon was challenging on goal. First-year Erin Williamson slide tackled a Kenyon dribbler from behind in the penalty box.

The referee awarded Kenyon a penalty kick - a call that wasn't popular with the Yeowomen.

"I didn't feel that it was a good call," New said. "I felt the referee made the wrong judgement."

The penalty kick was the only one for or against the Yeowomen this season. The shot deflected into the net off the side of the goal post, a perfect shot, just past the outstretched arms of junior keeper Alysia Oakley.

Kenyon put the game away with another goal in the second period of overtime. But it was the penalty kick that took the spirit out of the Yeowomen's game.

The game was their third overtime loss and their seventh by fewer than three goals.

"I thought it was a real good soccer game," New said. "I thought we played better soccer [than they did]."

"[The comeback] showed that we had the will to win after they scored," junior Katherine Roberts said. She cited the comeback as one of the best moments for Oberlin women's soccer this season.

Novins said the victory over Case Western Reserve University was her most memorable game. It was the first and only conference victory for her, the last victory was in 1994.

"Everyone who was sitting on the bench ran onto the field, like a movie," Novins said. "Everyone was so excited and happy all at the same time."

Roberts cited the positives of this season: "We don't bitch at each other, and Blake doesn't bitch at us."

There was a whole new level about Oberlin soccer this year," captain senior Mikylah Myers said. "Blake brings with him excellent knowledge of the game."

Over the season, the Yeowomen allowed 30 goals and scored 29.

"We were on par with the other teams," Myers said. "This program is going forward. I am excited to pick up a Review next year, and find out how this team is doing."

New is going to come back next year. "Definitely, we got a lot of work to do, a lot of building to do," New said. "Besides, I am on a three-year contract."

"Statistically we did not accomplish everything we wanted to," New said. "We accomplished a lot."

High Stepping: (top) Sophomore Lisa Novins tries to get control of the ball against Kenyon Saturday. Kenyon beat the Yeowomen in overtime. (photo by John Matney)

Hugs and Roses: (bottom) Seniors on the women's soccer team got a fond farewell from their teammates before Saturday's season finale. (photo by John Matney)