Field
Hockey Rocks Out With Five Straight Wins
by Liz Logan
Oberlins
field hockey team ended the season as triumphant as ever, putting
together a five-game winning streak in their last week of play.
On Oct. 11, the Yeowomen beat long-time rival Denison with a final
score of 3-1. Goals in the first period were earned by senior team
captain Emily Johnson and junior Briana Quinn with an assist by
senior Vanessa Wirth. In the second half, Emily Johnson scored once
again, this time with an assist by Nana Uemura.
On Oct. 13, Oberlin faced the North Coast Athletic Conferences
top-ranked team, The College of Wooster. In a hard-fought match,
the Yeowomen lost 1-0, with Woosters one goal coming in an
overtime period. The close match showed the Yeowomen to be equal
to the skill level of the NCACs number one team. Oberlin finished
the season in third place, shining above rivals Denison and Ohio
Wesleyan, and resting just one place below the longtime dominant
forces Wittenberg and Wooster.
On Oct. 15, Oberlin lost to Kenyon College 1-0. Pushing the Ladies
back for the entire first half, the Yeowomen continued to act as
aggressors. Though Kenyon was able to knock one goal in 21 minutes
into the second half, Oberlins 18 shots on goal over Kenyons
13 proved the Yeowomen to be just as mighty a power. Earlier in
the season they beat the Ladies 4-0. Kenyon finished last in the
conference.
Fall break gave the Yeowomen a chance to forget school and focus
on field hockey. On Oct. 20, the team traveled to Washington and
Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, where their game ended with the
Yeowomen on top 5-0.
Oberlin then went on to defeat Haverford 2-0, with both goals scored
in the first half, one by senior Claire Sturm and one by junior
Chaney Stewman. Haverford was a really tough team, so it meant
a lot to defeat them, first-year Jamie Johnson said. We
worked together and focused more than in any other game.
The next stop on the Yeowomens whirlwind warpath was Bryn
Mawr College, where they won 5-0. Two goals were scored in the first
half by Stewman and a third by Jaime Johnson. Goals in the second
half were brought in by Stewman and Sturm.
Oberlins penultimate game was their second defeat of Transylvania
University, with a final score of 5-1. Two goals were scored by
Stewman with one assist by Sturm. Other goals were scored by Jamie
Johnson with an assist by Stewman, Quinn with an assist by Jamie
Johnson, and Sturm with an assist by Stewman. The Transylvania
game was pretty horrible, Jaime Johnson said. We were
down 1-0 at the half, which was absolutely shocking considering
we beat them no contest before. The second half was brilliant, though
we got things straightened out pretty fast.
Then came the moment of truth, the Yeowomens game against
University of the South at Kenyon College on Oct. 28. The 6-4 victory
was a culmination of what was statistically the third-best season
Oberlins field hockey program has ever seen.
A tension-filled 0-0 game went past double overtime to end in a
penalty stroke competition. Senior and expert stroker Jenny Lusk-Yablick
sent two balls to the cage, the other goals were smashed in by Stewman,
Quinn and Jaime Johnson.
The NCAC honored several of the Yeowomen for their spectacular performances
this season. On Oct. 28, Stewman was named the NCACs player
of the week. Emerging as a star with her hard work over fall break,
Stewman led the Yeowomen to three major victories. She scored five
goals and dished out two assists during the Haverford, Bryn Mawr
and Transylvania games. Stewman now leads the NCAC in scoring with
29 points in 17 games (1.71 points per game). Emily Johnson was
the second place scoring leader for the conference.
Senior goalkeeper Pam Walker was the number one goalie in the conference,
and achieved the highest save percentage of any Division III goalie
in the country. Overall, the Yeowomen can look back with pride on
a season played out with inspiring passion and intensity. The
five-game winning streak was a good way to end the season,
said Graham. We finished with the best record Ive seen
in the two years Ive been here.
The end of a triumphant season also comes with a pang of sadness
for many. Said Graham, I will miss the team. This years
senior class was fabulous, and they were a core part of the program.
Jaime Johnson reflected on the teams final moments playing
together and said, You could tell [from the U. of South performance]
how close we were; it was good closure to the season. I love my
teammates and Im really going to miss them.
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