Women take nail-biter against Muskingum

Following a week in which they won two games handily and lost one narrowly, the Oberlin College women's soccer team headed into this week pumped up to further establish themselves as a threat in the NCAC. If the scores from Tuesday and Wednesday's games are any indication, the ladies are well on their way to achieving that goal.

Tuesday pitted Oberlin against Hiram College in what would prove to be an easy conference win for the Yeowomen. Led by sophomore forward Becky Kanuch's three goals, the Yeowomen handed Hiram a stinging 6-0 loss. Senior Maya Skutel, junior Jessa Klotz, junior Emily Walker all scored and Becky Kanuch repeated last week's performance with another hat-trick. Kanuch is currently among the top scorers in the NCAC.

Sophomore goaltender Julie Noyes notched her fourth shutout of the season. Skutel assisted on all three of Kanuch's goals. Kanuch was understandably elated about her performance, and the conference victory, as was her coach:

"We played really well [Tuesday]," said head coach Jane Wildman. "It was a good game for us. We got some confidence. Our passing was tight, and we were very organized. So I was really pleased with the overall effort of the team."

Following that victory, Oberlin went into the Muskingum game in high spirits. They left in even higher ones with a 2-1 victory in one of the most dramatic games possible. "We dominated both games," said Kanuch.

"We were playing well in first half and dominating but couldn't finish," said Wildman. Neither team was able to convert on a scoring opportunity until a Fighting Muskie forward slammed one home mid-way through the second half.

"Muskingum came out pretty fired up in second and we came out a little flat as the half progressed- they got more shooting opportunities ," said Wildman.

The goal galvanized the somewhat scattered Oberlin offense. "We stepped it up after they scored," Kanuch said.

The Yeowomen pressed back, keeping Muskingum on the defensive for much of the remainder of the game. Their hard work was rewarded when Kanuch blasted a shot past the opposition's goaltender with 2:40 to go.

With the score knotted at one, Oberlin refused to relent their attack. Again the persistence paid off and the game winner, off a shot by first-year Hannah Furgiuele, went home with only nine seconds remaining in the game.

The goal exemplified the teamwork that brought home a victory. A corner kick with 18 seconds to go landed in the middle of the penalty box where Kanuch attempted a shot. The ball was defelected by Muskingum's goalie and went right to Furgiuele for the score.

"I think we have some good momentum going," Wildman said after the dramatic victory. "We need to ride it into our conference match against Wittenberg. I'm confident that if we play well, we could win that game. That would be a major accomplishment."

Oberlin faces Wittenberg at home, Saturday at 1 p.m. They play a non-conference matchup home against Tiffin, Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

Hats off: Becky Kanuch scored her second hat-trick in as many weeks in Thursday's game against Muskingum. (photo by Brian Hodgkin)