Men's lax rolls over Wooster for second win

Goaltending and defense spark victory

Smarting from a loss against Wittenberg University, the men's lacrosse team whacked the College of Wooster Wednesday for their first conference win.

"It was the most spectacular, triumphant game I've ever been a part of," senior Sam Krasnow said. "I've been waiting for that since freshman year."

With depleted ranks on Saturday, the Yeomen lost 14-3 on their home field to Wittenberg. Oberlin turned the tides on Wednesday, pulling out the 9-1 victory in front of the home crowd.

Oberlin played at Wittenberg earlier in the season, and lost the game 20-3. That game had been played on Wittenberg's faster Astroturf surface. Oberlin hoped to have an advantage as the teams tussled on the more familiar grass surface of North Fields. Unfortunately, the Yeomen were without their best player, and team leader, Krasnow. Also missing was first-year Dan Kimmel. Both players traveled home for personal reasons, and were sorely missed.

Senior Garth Stidolph said, "Sam's absence left a hole, but I think that we made up for it as a team and played well against a good Witt team."

The Yeomen went with 12 players on Saturday, giving them only one substitute player. By comparison, Wittenberg had at least 15 players on their sideline to rest their starters. First-year Terry Jue said, "Everyone played to the best of their abilities and when the game was over we were fairly satisfied with our performance."

Oberlin kept the game close in the first quarter, allowing two goals. Wittenberg turned up the heat, though, in the second and third quarters, scoring 11 goals to Oberlin's two.

Senior Scott Sheppard continued his excellent play in goal this season with 19 saves. Junior Matt Jensen, junior Im Soo Kwak, and Stidolph all recorded goals this game.

The fourth quarter was highlighted by a devastating hit from Kwak. Kwak decked a Wittenberg player, garnering a penalty even though the hit appeared clean. As he trotted to the sidelines, receiving praise from his teammates, Kwak riled up the crowd with an exuberant celebration.

Oberlin allowed only one goal in the last quarter, and scored one of their own off a tipped pass. Stidolph said, "I think that we definitely played better against Witt the second time."

The Yeomen carried their strong fourth quarter into their next game against Wooster on Wednesday. Falling behind 1-0 in the first quarter, Oberlin roared back in the last three quarters of the game, outscoring Wooster 9-0.

First-year Evan Kelley said, "It feels good to win a big one at home." Oberlin dominated the field, turning outstanding individual performances into a complete team effort. "We stepped up as a team and refused to lose," said Stidolph.

Once again, Sheppard looked sharp in goal, stopping 13 shots. Kelley said, "That Wooster squad had some really good shooters, but they couldn't touch him." Krasnow, Jensen, and Stidolph each had two goals a piece in the contest. Oberlin out shot Wooster 33-25, and dug out 54 ground balls to Wooster's 28.

The Yeomen served a pretty cold dish of revenge to the Fighting Scots. Earlier in the year Oberlin dropped a close game at Wooster, 11-9. Oberlin paid back that loss many times over, tearing apart Wooster for their first home win, and their first conference victory. "Going in to Wooster we were pumped up. We had written 'Project Wooster' on the board in the locker room and we started concentrating on Wooster right after Witt," said Stidolph.

Oberlin hosts Marietta College this Saturday, and they hope to repeat past perfomances. "We are confident that we will beat Marietta. We beat them the first time down in Marietta 6-5 while not playing particularly well," said Jue.

Wednesday brings the number one team in the country to Oberlin. Ohio Wesleyan University, the top Division III team, will present a force to be reckoned to the gritty Yeomen.

Shake and bake: Sophomore Ben Bernard attempts to avoid the checking of Wooster Fighting Scot in the team's victory Wednesday. (photo by Mike Kabakoff)