The Oberlin College men’s soccer team wrapped up the 2002 season with a 9-10-1 overall record and a 2-7 record in the North Coast Athletic Conference.
This season’s record was a vast improvement on last year’s 1-15 overall record. The Yeomen secured two more conference wins than last season and could have done even better if not for some heartbreaking and hard-fought losses to Kenyon College (1-0) and Earlham College (1-0) and an overtime loss to Wittenberg University in which the Yeomen led on two separate occasions. The 4-3 overtime loss to Wittenberg was a far cry from last season’s 11-0 drubbing, highlighting the improvement of the team this season.
Two players who shone bright for the Yeomen were senior Richard Braithwaite and first-year Dave Wilson, both of whom were named All-NCAC. Braithwaite doubled his goal tally from last year to register 10 goals and Wilson struck six times for the Yeomen in his debut season.
Other players who excelled this season were senior William Singer, who settled into his right wing back birth well, first-year Evan Childress, who patrolled the opposite flank with skill and poise and first-year goal keeper Lincoln Smith who made many key saves this season and added stability at the back. Juniors Issaku Kohl and Philip Kresniske added determined and well directed work to the midfield and sophomore Max Hellerman worked tirelessly and creatively for the Yeomen all year.
Head coach Blake New’s team did much better than last year but could be accused of not completely following through on their early season promise. They played fantastic soccer and were denied victory at the tournament at Lycoming purely based on goal difference. The returns had brought new resolve and the first-years a fresh pool of talent, and a team that perhaps could have made it to the NCAC tournament completed the season just under .500.
Even though some key figures in the team are graduating — besides Braithwaite and Singer, seniors Simon Spaid, Luke Eisenhauer and Jay Rosenthal were all key figures in the Yeomen set up — Oberlin can look forward to a strong team built on this year’s positive results.