Yeomen End Year On High Note

With one final game to play, the Men's Lacrosse Team defeated the Mavericks of Medaille College. The Yeomen dominated the entire game as they recorded a rare shutout. This non-conference game raised Oberlin's record to 3-10 with a 0-7 conference record. This game proved that the team made vast improvements over the season and bodes well for next year. The team received more good news as first-year Erik Vachon was named player of the week for April 23-30. He is the only Yeoman to receive such honors this year.

On April 29, the Yeomen ventured to Buffalo, New York to face the Mavericks of Medaille College. The Yeomen outmatched the Mavericks in every facet of the game. "This was a good game. We controlled the ball on offense and played great defense. Everybody was able to play a lot," said a pleased Head Coach Jim Donovan after the game.

I love the smell of armpit sweat in the morning: This OC foe lays an elbow into sophomore Mike Wexler. (photo by Andrea Kamins)

In the first period, Oberlin scored three goals while keeping Medaille off the board. Those goals were all that Oberlin needed to win the day. Seven goals scored by the Yeomen in the second quarter stretched the lead to 10. Seven more Oberlin goals in the second half brought the final score to 17-0 in favor of Oberlin. The Yeomen probably played their best-executed game. They controlled the ball on offense, which in turn led to a dominating defensive performance led by Andrew Kim.

The Mavericks were only able to put up 15 shots at sophomore goalie David Smolev. Attack/midfield Vachon led the scoring with 10 points, seven coming on goals and three on assists. Sophomore attack/midfield David Rooklin played another solid offensive game by scoring four goals and assisting on two other.

Junior attack/midfield Evan Kelly scored four goals. Rounding out the scoring, first-year midfield/attack Sam Bryar scored two goals and assisted on one, sophomore midfield/defense Michael Wexler had four assists and sophomore attack/midfield Isaiah Chase assisted on one goal. David Smolev recorded his first career shutout by saving nine goals.

The momentum of this game should build confidence for next season. The team went through some growing pains this year with many new faces. The unit had to learn on the fly and by the end of the season, much improvement had been made.

Catch me if you can: Sophomore Mike Wexler attempts to outrun a Bishop defender. (photo by Andrea Kamins)

The NCAC is a competitive conference with many quality teams. With only one graduating senior, the Yeomen look to make some noise next year and surprise some of the powerhouses in their division. Vachon and Rooklin should develop into one of the more feared scoring tandems in the conference. Evan Kelly and Wexler will augment the duo's scoring threat as Vachon has established himself as the coordinator on offense and should give Kelly and Wexler excellent scoring opportunities. First-year midfield Matt Iorio's facing formidable facing abilities will continue to become stronger and give the Yeomen an advantage in controlling the ball next season. A new leader will have to emerge on defense as their rock, Andrew Kim, is graduating.

David Smolev's goaltending abilities are much better than his stats would indicate. Often he was barraged by the other team's offenses as the defense was coalescing as a unit. If everyone returns, Head Coach Jim Donovan should be able to lead the Yeomen to an improved record.

The victory on Saturday was bittersweet as it marked the last for Kim. A true leader, he helped to guide the young and inexperienced lacrosse team through a difficult season.

"He is a dedicated player and a student of the game, which allowed him to become the great defensemen that he was." stated Coach Donavon. Kim came to Oberlin from Hong Kong and had never played lacrosse before. He picked up the game quickly and became a starter his junior year.

Kim was a lone ranger of sorts since he was the only senior on the team. Well liked by his teammates, Kim also could get in a player's face if he thought the other player was slacking.

"He is a fantastic motivator who leads by example and by voicing his opinions with his teammates," said assistant coach Jeff Ramsey. It is unfortunate for Andrew that his hard work with this year's team won't bear fruit until next season as most of the talent lies in underclassmen. Next year's squad loses more than its best defensemen, they lose a true leader.

With the regular season coming to a close, the Yeomen look to next season. On Saturday, the lacrosse team will host on alumni game at 1:30 p.m.