Women's soccer finishes strong

It may have taken a couple months for Oberlin Women's soccer to warm up, but Saturday they showed just how good they are. The team finished off the season with a crushing victory over third ranked conference team Earlham College.

Oberlin completely dominated throughout the entire match. Their teamwork and passing was impressive and both offense and defense played a superior game. Senior Lisa Novins and junior Maia Skutel both scored for the Yeowomen and Oberlin's defense held Earlham scoreless. The final score was 2-0.

"It was the best game we've played all year. We dominated the whole time. They never had a chance," Coach Blake New said.

Players agreed it was their finest showing. "It was our best game this season. Everyone was really aware and really on. It was a good day," senior Katie Stone said.

The Yeowomen ended the season 7-8-2, but the record does not reflect the quality of the team. Almost half the losses came during a brief lull around midterms, a result of mental fatigue more than lack of skill or speed.

"We definitely had a good season. We played better as a team, especially towards the end. And almost all our matches were really close," sophomore Emilie Walker said.

One player in particular had a historically phenomenal season. Novins broke the Oberlin College record for most goals scored in a career with a total of 45. "We will miss her. She was someone you could always count on in the clutch to go in and put one in," New said.

The women will lose a total of seven seniors next season. But present underclassmen and future recruits seem promising. New cited first-years mid-fielder Susan Axeen, defender Lissa Green-Stark, mid-fielder Becky Kanuch and forward Nicole Falk as players to watch in years to come.

Limbering up: Yeowomen warm up for their final game of the season, a decisive 2-0 victory over Earlham College Saturday. They ended their season with a 7-8-2 record. (photo by Heidi Good)