As many Oberlin teams already know, Richmond, Indiana, a quiet town and home of the Quaker school Earlham College, has some of the rowdiest, most obnoxious fans around.
Two male fans came to Oberlin's women's lacrosse game Sunday, in hopes of getting in some good laughs at the expense of the defending conference champions. "They completely heckled us during warm-up," sophomore Sarah Bergman said.
Then the game started and after six quick Yeowomen goals, less than five minutes into the game the pair of jesters split in hopes of greener pastures. The Yeowomen were well on their way to a 17-0 triumph.
The night before at Wittenberg University, in the chill and turf, the team survived a second half scare to romp 15-8.
With two solid conference wins, in the words of Bergman the team had an "ego-boosting" weekend. The team's record now stands at 3-4 overall, 3-1 in conference play.
Against Wittenberg the teams traded goals for the first 12 minutes of the game, before Oberlin's movement and passing game opened up a 10-4 half-time lead.
"It was a very physical game," Bergman said. "The other team was pretty out of control." Several Yeowomen received head checks according to Bergman.
After the half, the Oberlin got off to their typical lackadaisical second half start and Wittenberg responded with several goals.
"One thing we need to work on is the second half in terms of execution," Manolovich said. "Most of our trouble is in the second half when we are tired."
The Yeowomen rebounded in time to leave with a 15-8 victory. After the game a Wittenberg player called Oberlin's passing game one of the prettiest in Conference.
Senior Amy Kremen led the scoring with five goals. Fellow seniors Katherine Roberts and co-captain Anne Ewens put in four and three goals respectively.
Roberts accounted for eight of the team's 14 forced turnovers.
Sunday, the team dominated Earlham College 17-0 behind the superb goaltending of co-captain senior Alysia Oakley and first-year Alexandra Grindle.
"Alex had some real good saves," Manolovich said.
The most impressive aspect for Oberlin was that they kept up their intensity.
"We played our game and didn't sink to their level," Bergman said.
Robert's hustle all over the field was cited by Bergman as a key catalyst for the Yeowomen's strong play in a sure blowout.
The highlight of the game came from Oakley. Playing in the field in the second half Oakley managed to find the back of the net. The goal was her first in an Oberlin uniform, and had been long awaited.
"It's important to keep the team at a high level," Manolovich said. "Run plays, work on plays, fine tune our skills."
In the last five minutes of the game, the team played left handed to avoid running up the score.
Junior Cecily Beane put in four goals and senior Atsuko Sakurai added three. Key play came from Grindle, who recorded three eye-grabbing saves in the second half to secure the shutout.
"This team feels like it's starting to form," Bergman said. "We are getting used to each others' playing styles."
"Ann Ewens had two consistent games," Manolovich said. "I felt like our younger players stepped up in terms of talent and experience. Everyone out there contributed to our team's success."
Roberts and Kremen are top scorers in the NCAC conference with 23 and 20 goals respectively. Roberts currently ranks third in the conference in points per game with 4.00 and Kremen is tied for fifth with a 3.80 PPG average.
The team's game against SUNY-Fredonia, Wednesday, was canceled due to thundershowers and a lack of scheduled referee.
The Yeowomen play two key conference opponents this week. Saturday the team travels to the College of Wooster and next Wednesday the team heads to Gambier, OH to play Kenyon College. Both games are crucial for the Yeowomen and they hope to not let any second half lulls keep them from victory.
Say cheese: Women's lacrosse player smiles as she cradles a lacrosse ball during practice. This week the Yeowomen play two critical conference matches. (photo by Zach Fried)
Copyright © 1998, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 126, Number 20, April 10, 1998
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