The Oberlin women’s lacrosse team spent Spring Break in Colorado competing against some of the top teams in the country.

The Yeowomen faced three highly ranked opponents and lost each game. On Sunday, March 28, the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athenas took on the women’s team, coming away with a win 24-5. Regis University defeated the Yeowomen by 15 goals, winning 18-3. The next day Colorado College, ranked 15th in the nation, overtook the Yeowomen 14-6.

This season’s Yeowomen have 11 returning players, including their three captains, senior Justine Strayhorn and juniors Alison Obyrcht and Sarah Pilzer, along with senior Susan Armitage, junior Alice Macgill and sophomore Christine Castilla, who earned the honor of All-NCAC last season.

Head coach Deb Ranieri said the team was “still a rather young program” and viewed the past season as part of a “building year with learning basic skills.” She now feels the team is more capable of focusing on the concepts of the game and the team’s opponents with more strategy and confidence.

The Yeowomen started the season with a non-conference win against the Medaille Mavericks, shutting them out 11-0. Since then Oberlin has failed to achieve a victory.

“Our playing level has really increased,” Ranieri said.

Thursday afternoon the Yeowomen showed improvement as they took on Kenyon College, who were tied for first place in the conference. Kenyon jumped ahead early 4-1, but the Yeowomen stormed back to take a one goal lead.

Closing out the first half, Kenyon pulled ahead, and extended the lead in the second half, defeating Oberlin 17-11.

As the team continues to practice and compete with strong schools, Ranieri notes that the defense is becoming stronger, while stick skills are growing tighter.

The women’s lacrosse team holds the goal of finishing in the top four in the conference tournament at the end of the season. Ranieri said her players want to “make an impact in the conference.”