After finding their way in North Coast Athletic Conference play with a 2-1 victory over Wabash College, the Oberlin College men’s soccer team fell wayward of the path once again losing 3-1 to 17th ranked Ohio Wesleyan University. The Yeomen’s NCAC record dropped to 1-2 and their overall record to 7-5-1.
Wabash celebrated their homecoming by hosting the Yeomen last Saturday. Oberlin dominated the first half, keeping possession of the ball for several long stretches. The possession culminated in a goal as junior Phil Kresniske headed home his third goal of the season.
The second half saw the Yeomen bunkered in as Wabash attacked continually and equalized to take the score to 1-1. Although the match stayed competitive until the final whistle, senior Richard Braithwaite settled the tie in the 83rd minute with his 10th goal of the season off an assist by sophomore Max Hellerman. Hellerman has now notched five assists and one goal for the season.

“In the first half, we played to and through the midfield, talked, switched fields to an open and attacking back. The first half was a thing of beauty,” Braithwaite said. “We still have a tough time finishing, and we’re not creative in the final third, but when you play like we did that first 45 minutes, nothing bad can happen. Phil [Kresniske] had a great goal, and the game looked like it was over. The second half was a different story, as Wabash pressured the hell out of us, just as OWU would do three days later. Fortunately Jay [Rosenthal] and Max [Hellerman] combined for a beautiful run that climaxed in an easy tap in for me.”
Braithwaite is currently the leading scorer in the NCAC. His 10 goals this season have already doubled his tally from last season.
The away game at Ohio Wesleyan on Tuesday was a highly contested affair that ended in disappointment for the Yeomen, who lost 3-1. After OWU scored twice the Yeomen stayed in contention after sophomore Jamie Davis tapped in a header from Braithwaite to make the score 2-1. OWU got a late goal, however, to secure the victory.

“[OWU’s] first goal was a misplayed long ball,” first-year David Wilson said. “[Senior] Luke [Eisenhauer] stepped back to take it off the bounce, it went over his head and then amidst the collision between their forward, [first-year] Lincoln [Smith], and [senior] Simon [Spaid], the ball rolled into the net. We’re still looking for the combination play between midfield and forwards in the final third. If we can sort that out, we should be able to tally some victories. I think the team as a whole knows we’ve let two really good opportunities for points slip away against two of the top teams in the conference.”
The Yeomen’s next NCAC Game is tomorrow at 1 p.m. when they host Hiram College.