Yeowomen fight hard, can't buy win

The members of the Oberlin women's soccer team have been busting their butts to climb out of their frustrating losing strike. Even though their efforts have caused them some battle scars and disappointment, the season was still successful and impressive.

Their record now stands with 6 wins and 12 loses overall and 1 win and 8 loses in the conference. The team had a tough time during the break along with a whole lot of excitement and adventure.

The Yeowomen played a tough game on Saturday October 9th against Ohio Wesleyan. For most of the team it was the last home game of the season, but for Katie Durham-Hammer, the team's senior captain and power sweeper, and Maia Skutel the team's senior striker and forward midfielder, it was the last home game of their successful career as Varsity Athletes representing Oberlin College. The team, led by Hammer and Skutel, battled Ohio Weselyan for an exciting forty minutes playing low pressure the entire game. Unfortunately Ohio Wesleyan proved to be the undefeated and powerful team that they are, and ended the game with a 6-0 victory.

Over Fall Break the women traveled to Boston to challenge Emerson College. On Thursday October 21st The team was greeted by not only a very skilled and anxious Emerson, but also a field covered with large puddles of water, mud, worms and road kill (which was successfully removed before the start of the game). The Yeowomen dominated in the first half, but suffered from the absence of many fellow teammates. By the end of the game Oberlin was covered in mud and defeat with a final score of 2-0.

On the way back from Emerson the team stopped in New York to play against Vassar on Tuesday the 23rd. Oberlin fell 3-0 to Vassar, but don't let the score fool you because it in no way reflects how well these women competed. Vassar is currently dominating their own conference with outstanding players at a high skill level, but the confrontation with Oberlin was no walk in the park for. Oberlin matched their skill level staying neck and neck the entire game. They had a lot of chances to win but just couldn't make it happen. The team played a much better game then they did against Emerson, but again the absence of fellow teammates paid a toll on the Yeowomen.

On Wednesday October 27th Oberlin played away at Kenyon College. The game was aggressive and exciting. Sophomore Amy Levin-Epstein said, "We played really good defense against Kenyon with some exciting saves by Stephanie White and Julie Noyes." The game stayed close, but ended with another lose for Oberlin and a victory for the Lords 1-0.

The team will perform its season finale on Saturday October 30th against Denison away at 2:00pm. Everyone should try to come out for support, and for the opportunity to grasp their last chance to see two of Oberlin College's most outstanding athletes Katie Durham-Hammer and Maia Skutel compete in their final game before retirement.

Not in my house: Sophomore goalkeep Julie Noyes denies an opponent a goal--with authority. (photo by Brian Hodgkin)