The Oberlin men’s lacrosse team continued to struggle just to score this past week, getting blanked by Wittenberg, 17-0, on Saturday, and by Denison, 25-0 on Tuesday.
The two losses to North Coast Athletic Conference opponents dropped the Yeomen’s NCAC record to 0-4 and their overall record to 0-8.

The season has been a struggle for the Yeomen, their problems beginning with ball control. The team’s development has also been hampered by injuries.

In this week’s action, Oberlin controlled the ball only enough to make six shots between the two games, while Wittenberg made 40 shots and Denison took 56.

“We were improving a lot, but then injuries set in,” senior goalkeeper Dave Smolev said. “It’s like taking one step forward and two steps back.”

Smolev, despite having allowed 116 goals, is fourth in Division III in saves made with 177 and has posted a respectable .604 save percentage.

Oberlin was barely able to field a team this year and has lost some experienced players. Many members of the team had never played lacrosse before.
“It’s still fun for them,” Smolev said of the newer players. “They know they’re going to lose, but it’s still fun. It’s something new.”

Since losing 9-7 to Marietta College in the season opener, the Yeomen have failed to pot a goal.

With such an inexperienced team, Oberlin is much better matched against Marietta than against nationally-ranked teams like Denison. They will get to take another shot against Marietta on Saturday with a 1:30 game at Dill Field.