Women's soccer defeats CWR in a nailbiter

Home gape proves to be a winner

Following a tough week of on-the-road losses to Tiffin and powerhouse Ohio Wesleyan, Oberlin's women's soccer team managed pull itself together at home. The team put forth a gutsy performance in a close 3-2 loss to Allegheny, and followed with a 1-0 victory against a sluggish Case Western Reserve University squad.

The Yeomen faced the Allegheny Alligators on a cold, dreary Saturday marred by intermittent showers. The match seemed almost out of reach early in the second half when Oberlin surrendered its third goal in 21 minutes of play.

The second goal was yet another of Oberlin's mental lapses early in each half, as Allegheny put one through in the 47th minute. Twelve minutes later, Gator midfielder Katherine Paulsen converted the eventual game-winner with an impressive strike to the upper-left corner from 30 yards out, leaving keeper first-year Julie Noyes almost no chance at saving the shot.

Just when it seemed that Oberlin might fold and concede defeat, the team managed to capitalize on the steady intensity it had shown the whole game. Senior Lisa Novins penetrated the defense, and brought the ball to the baseline just right of goal. A frantic defender resorted to tripping Novins, seemingly the only way to stop the speedster. Novins was awarded a penalty kick, which she converted despite the keeper guessing correctly and putting a hand on the shot.

Novins took this spark and 30 seconds later added a second goal, her 11th in as many games. Again, she single-handedly dismantled the Gators' defense, this time dribbling around a diving keeper and recovering to calmly touch the ball to an open goal.

With new life, the Yeowomen continued to pressure Allegheny and several times seemed on the verge of tying the game. However, Novins had run out of miracles, and the team's inspired play couldn't salvage a tie.

"We played well at times against Allegheny," head coach Blake New said. "We had trouble pressing in some critical moments, and we backed down in some pressure situations."

The Yeowomen managed an impressive nine corners to the Gators' five, though they were outshot 13-7.

"I was excited after those two goals," Novins said. "I really thought we could win the game after that. It was a little disappointing that we didn't."

The ensuing game against Case Western (CWRU) was not as inspired. Oberlin came away with a 1-0 victory in a match characterized by sluggish passing, tired offense, and overall malaise. The lone goal came in the 20th minute on a corner kick. Forward junior Maia Skutel sent a short corner to Novins, who put the ball in the air, clearing the keeper and finding junior Katy Durham-Hammer open on the other side. Durham-Hammer had no trouble finishing it with a solid header.

"That game was ugly," coach New said. "We couldn't finish, but we managed to score that one goal." Coach New could have taken solace in the fact that CWRU had even more trouble finishing, outshooting the Yeomen 11-7.

Novins was at a loss for words to describe why the offense sputtered as it did against CWRU.

The strong offensive play in the Allegheny match and the strong defensive play against CWRU both bode well for this Saturday's match against nationally ranked Denison. The Yeowomen (3-6-2, 1-2 NCAC) will need strong defensive support against their fastest conference opponent.

Novins gave her assessment of what it will take to topple Denison. "We really need the defense to support the offense, because Denison is really strong, and if we don't do that, we will never be able to set up our attack."

Coach New's assessment was similar. "We need to make them play in front of us. Our defense will have to play strongly for that to happen. Otherwise, we'll spend the whole game chasing them down behind us."

Ready, aim, fire: A defender clears the ball out of Oberlin's end at Saturday's game. (photo by Rebecca Johnson)