Men's lacrosse has tough game series

Team plays against two perennially strong teams

Sometimes life can be tough -- sometimes you can play well and still lose. And this was definitely a tough week for the men's lacrosse team, the Yeomen dropping three games to league opponents College of Wooster and Wittenburg University.

Last Wednesday the team traveled to Wooster to play the perennially strong Fighting Scots, and the game turned out to be one of their finer efforts. Despite a 13-6 loss, the Yeomen played the Scots hard and trailed only 6-4 at the half.

Oberlin lapsed only thrice, allowing three goal spurts right before the half, very early in the third quarter and in the final minute. Captain junior Sam Krasnow's three goals and the two from first-year John Steckle weren't enough to overcome the Scots' burst. "They were able to turn it on and we weren't," said Head Coach Jim Donovan, citing Wooster's slight advantage in firepower as the main reason for the loss. Nevertheless, Oberlin's passing and defense were of such a high caliber that Donovan identified the contest as "one of our best efforts of the year."

On Saturday, Oberlin hit the road once again, to play Wittenburg; unfortunately for the Yeomen, they were unable to continue their strong play, losing 17-2 in what coach Donovan labeled, conversely, "one of our poorest efforts this year." Because neither of Oberlin's regular goalies were able to accompany the team on the trip, sophomore midfielder Matt Jensen was forced into duty. While Jensen turned in a strong performance, his presence was sorely missed at midfield, where the already underhanded Yeomen struggled to keep up with wave after wave of fresh Wittenburg subs. Krasnow's two goals represented the whole of Oberlin's offensive output.

Oberlin got to stay at home for Wednesday's game against Wooster, which ended in a Yeomen loss by a score of 13-4. Donovan's reaction to the game was largely positive however: "We played with a lot of heart, we competed from beginning to end." Oberlin's play was characterized by a high degree of effort-- though unfortunately for the Yeomen, some of that effort and enthusiasm was misinterpreted by the officials: "Spit flying out of one's mouth guard coupled with high emotion and screaming does not constitute a circumvention of the rules," said Krasnow, whose two goals were coupled with a season high three and a half minutes in the penalty box. The referees were seemingly out to get Oberlin, as a poorly timed suspension of play (for possible lightning) robbed the Yeomen of momentum. Still, the Yeomen challenged the Scots, allowing only eight more shots than they took -- the ten goal differential is testament to Wittenburg's accuracy and efficiency, qualities which the youthful Oberlin team will develop over time.

Given a moment to reflect on a season over two thirds complete, Donovan identified offensive ball control as a facet of the game in which the team could improve -- this, in turn, would ease the burden of a defense under continual pressure. Donovan is upbeat. "Improvement is the key," he said, adding that he sees definite progress.

This year's edition of the lacrosse team is a young one, but the coach is happy to see first-years like Ben Bernard and Peter Kazarinoff take to the game so quickly. The Yeomen are taking their lumps -- but, like a good prize fighter, they keep coming back. Tough times make for a tough team, and this Saturday's game against perenially puny Marietta College gives the Yeomen plenty of opportunity to express some of their toughness.

Where's my head?: The men's lacrosse team definitely gave some abuse this week. (photo by John Matney)