Last Wednesday’s game against Marietta College kept every rain- soaked fan on his or her toes. Despite Marietta’s clear dominance with 30 shots to Oberlin’s three, the Yeowomen managed to keep the game tied until a low right goal slipped past the outstretched hands of first year goalie Leigh Wilson.

“They should have had the game won by the time they scored,” head coach Andy Nelson said.

The low score can be attributed to Wilson’s numerous and outstanding saves and the help of the defensive line.

“Leigh played unbelievably well, especially for a first-year. She’s learning so fast,” Nelson said. “We had tremendous defense and an exceptionally tremendous goalie.”

Junior Laurie Stein consistently cleared every loose ball and made penetrating the defense a difficult task for Marietta College. First-year Alice Randall, sophomore Meghan Schott and senior Ellie Fitzpatrick helped Stein with nice defensive passing up the left side, with one of the outlet passes resulting in a close shot by first-year Jessica Greenberg. Marietta dominated the next three minutes after Greenberg’s offensive push, which resulted in two impressive saves by Wilson.

Senior Leah Fredrickson blocked another offensive drive and passed the ball up to sophomore Sam Schongalla. A foul gave Schongalla another close shot that was saved by Marietta’s goalie.

In the next five minutes Marietta regained possession and Wilson had two offensive slide tackles. Two corner kicks for Marietta came dangerously close to a goal; however, sophomore Mei-Lin Ha cleared both out with impressive headers.

In the last 10 minutes of the game the Yeowomen tired and Marietta maintained control. In the last 40 seconds Marietta had a breakaway, saved by Wilson in an extraordinary one-on-one attack. Sadly, with only 12 seconds left, Marietta’s final shot went sliding into the right corner, securing them the victory.

Nelson sees this loss as a lesson: “We’ve got to work on these games and eventually we’ll turn them. Once you can hold possession, you can control the game.”

Tuesday’s game provided the Yeowomen with a chance truly to shine against Lake Erie College. The final score was 6-0. The team came out incredibly strong with an offensive surge headed by first-years Leslie Mills and Greenberg.

Greenberg scored the first goal a mere two minutes into the game with a shot just under the crossbar.

Lake Erie responded with a drive of their own, only to have sophomores Meghan Schott and Kym Buzdygon quickly shut it down. Together, they cleared the ball to Schongalla for another goal.

Throughout the game, the Yeowomen exhibited great teamwork and strength through very smart and well carried-out passes. “We had some amazing passes,” Wilson said. “We really just set up some great plays for each other.”

One of these passes, a long kick from Schott, resulted in a drive by Schongalla, who passed back to Greenberg for another goal. Mills exhibited beautiful footwork on a drive up the field for a close shot saved by Lake Erie’s goalie.

Halfway through the first half, senior Ellie Fitzpatrick drove up the left side for a long cross shot and Oberlin’s fourth goal. After that goal Lake Erie managed a nice shot blocked by Wilson. “Their offense was the strongest, their defense just couldn’t get the ball up to them,” Wilson said.

Following this drive, Schongalla dribbled the ball up the field and pulled the goalie out, slipping the ball right past her for another goal.

During the second half Nelson played many fresh legs from the benches. Sophomore Leah Bellow-Handleman and first-year Alice Randall played a nice passing game up the field.

Sophomore Rebecca Stepler passed the ball off to first-year Meghan Jones for a close shot.

The last goal was scored on a breakaway by Bellow-Handleman, off a nicely placed pass from Stepler. Reflecting on the game, first-year Meghan Jones said, “I think this game was really important in that we improved well as a team because we were able to put all our players in.”