Field Hockey weary following busy break

Fall break: A time to hit the road with fifteen of your closest friends. A week away from those pesky academic deadlines.

Through fall break, the Yeowomen have taken on a demanding schedule, playing eight games in three weeks. Oberlin went 1-2 in three games just prior to break. After losing a heartbreaker to Wittenberg in overtime, OC went on to score a 1-0 victory over the Earlham Quakers, only to lose to Kenyon College by the same score several days later.

Wittenberg, the team that Oberlin defeated in overtime in the first game of the season, was clearly out for revenge in the October 8 rematch. Fate refused to favor the Yeowomen during the game, but they certainly held their own, outshooting their opponents by a margin of 7-3 inside the circle. "I think we were just on top of [the game]," said sophomore Jenny Lusk-Yablick. "We came together well on the field." The final score was the only statistic that gave Wittenberg the edge; Oberlin matched the opposing team in penalty corners and goalie saves. Sophomore goalkeeper Pam Walker came out strong once again, keeping Wittenberg scoreless until overtime, when a perfectly executed penalty stroke managed to elude her. Still, Walker remains a formidable goalie in the NCAC, with an impressive .848 save percentage to prove it.

Oberlinıs subsequent game against Earlham was a different story entirely. The Yeowomen, who defeated the Quakers in September by a deficit of 5-0, were equally successful in shutting them down in October. "We had [the ball] in their circle the entire time," Lusk-Yablick said. The Yeowomen had 10 corners and 11 shots on goal; Earlham had none of either. The Yeowomenıs only goal was scored by senior co-captain Maggie McFalls, assisted by Nana Uemura. In this case, the stats tell the tale ‹ Oberlinıs only complaint might be that the victory wasnıt a greater one. But after a three-game losing streak, this shutout win was a gift horse whose mouth the Yeowomen did not wish to examine.

Against conference rival Kenyon, hopes were definitely high. "Weıre really psyched," said junior Annabeth Macy before the game. "Last game we dominated for the first fifteen minutes." That "last game" was one that Oberlin went on to win 4-3 in the brutal heat of double overtime. Still, Macy felt that the Kenyon Ladies would be intent on avenging their earlier loss. "Theyıre a comeback team," she said.

She didnıt know how right she was. Oberlin was a consistent scoring threat against the Ladies, putting pressure on Kenyonıs defensive line and firing several shots that barely missed the goal. "In the second half, there were times when we were really able to dominate," said head coach Elizabeth Graham. Nevertheless, the Yeowomen proved unable to break the opposing teamıs narrow 1-0 lead, acquired in the first half and held until the end. Said one fan: "Weıre playing to the level of Kenyon. Weıre just not connecting."

"[Kenyon has] some very strong defensive players," Graham said. "Itıs difficult to attack unless youıre fast breaking." She also cited stress and fatigue related to midterms as a possible factor in the October 14 game. "You kind of know going into a game like this that itıs going to be tougher than usual," Graham said. Still, she expressed satisfaction in general with the dynamic her team has developed. "I think that this team has bonded as much as itıs going to bond," she said.

Speaking of bonding: during fall break, the Yeowomen faced four opponents outside the NCAC, traveling en masse to Maryland for games at Catholic University and Hood College, then coming home to compete against the Highlanders of Houghton College and the Golden Flyers of Nazareth, both teams from New York. Hood defeated the Yeowomen 2-1 in sive. "With the exception of the final score," she said, "I was very happy with how we played." OC managed to keep the Highlanders scoreless through the first half; Houghtonıs three goals came in a ten-minute flurry in the middle of the second half. Against the Flyers, the Yeowomen recorded 23 shots on goal compared to Nazarethıs sixteen, making OCıs 1-0 loss seem little more than a case of bad luck.

Although Oberlin went 0-4 over the break, the change of scenery was just what many players felt they needed. "Itıs a chance to play without the stress of the conference and to learn from other teams," said Annabeth Macy. "Itıs a fun, more light-hearted experience."

While the Yeowomen did get a chance to kick back during their week off, the teamıs emphasis was still very much on field hockey. According to Graham, playing outside the NCAC lends some variety to OCıs otherwise conference-heavy schedule. "We get to play teams that are out of our region," she said. "It gives Oberlin some exposure in a different part of the country." In addition, the opportunity for players to leave academics behind and focus on the game is a coachıs dream come true. "Itıs a week when we only really have to think about field hockey," she said.

McFalls described the break as a chance for the team to refuel. "I think fall break was the moment where we were burning out," she said. "We needed to find our vision." Thanks to a mid-break team meeting, she added, the Yeowomenıs group dynamic improved by leaps and bounds, inspiring the players to continue working hard during the games that lay ahead.

As fate would have it, Oberlinıs schedule saved the best for last. Much excitement surrounded Thursdayıs game ‹ the last of the regular season for OC ‹ against the Big Red of Denison University. In their 3-0 loss to Denison at the beginning of October, the Yeowomen held the Redıs powerhouse offense to a single goal until the last fifteen minutes of the game. A month later, the team felt confident that Denison could be defeated. "I think any team can win on any given day," Walker said. "All we need is a fast break. I think weıve got one of the best fast breaks in the conference."

Walkerıs teammates echoed her positive thinking. "We definitely have a shot of beating them," said first-year Briana Quinn. Junior co-captain Abigail Chatfield felt particularly optimistic. "I think everyone is trying to dig deep and pull out as much as they can," she said. "It would be terrific if we could beat [Denison]. Itıll definitely be a challenge."

It certainly was. The Big Red has a deep bench and top-notch talent on all sides. Graham gave credit where it was due. "Theyıve got a lot of speed up front and a lot of size in the back," she said. "Denison has made a big commitment to their athletic program." Denison is also a larger institution than Oberlin, which gives it an undeniable advantage in terms of simple womanpower. But in their previous game against the Red, the Yeowomen were without team leader McFalls, sidelined due to injury. This time around, the idea of an upset inspired OC to redouble their efforts and fight harder than ever against the undefeated conference leader.

The Yeowomen played with unprecedented vigor against Denison in a game that tested both their stamina and their ability to work under pressure. Midway through the first half, Oberlinıs starters made it clear that they meant business. Sophomore Vanessa Wirth netted the first goal of the game, putting the Big Red unexpectedly on the defensive. When Denison struck back, tying the game at 1-1 several minutes later, Oberlin refused to lose heart. Wirth scored again, only minutes after Denisonıs goal, to put the Yeowomen up 2-1. Oberlin would hold this lead until the Red capitalized on a penalty corner near the end of the second half, scoring with only 5:15 left in regulation play to tie things up at 2-2.

As the game entered sudden-death overtime, various varsity teams gathered around the field to lend their support. Womenıs and menıs cross country combined to form a "wall of cheers," while menıs soccer sang their trademark "Hey Song" and womenıs lacrosse helped out with a spirited "O...C!" cheer. The effect was tremendous. Oberlin put enormous pressure on Denisonıs goal, threatening to score during several drives and penalty corners. But the Red would not fall, and the game stretched on into double overtime. Walker, who provided typically solid goalkeeping throughout the game, picked up an impressive 21 saves on the day. After almost 90 minutes of playing time, however, Denison finally got the upper hand. Following the Redıs winning goal, scored about five minutes into the second OT, the crowd rewarded the Yeowomenıs extraordinary performance with sustained applause and a final cheer: "WE LOVE YOU FIELD HOCKEY!"

McFalls had some thoughts on the Yeowomenıs season as a whole. "Our team is really young. I think that this is definitely a building year," she said. "My first year was similar to this year. We had a really strong squad of first-years and sophomores."

This season, formidable newcomers such as Quinn, Chaney Stewman and Christina Congleton ‹ the teamıs trio of first-year starters ‹ have lent essential support to a team thatıs still developing its talent. All in all, McFalls seemed to feel that her years as a Yeowoman have been extremely worthwhile. "I donıt regret a single practice or game," she said.

Oberlinıs 4-8 conference record is deceptive. Close games ending in defeat were the unfortunate pattern that plagued the Yeowomen for much of the season. Almost every game Oberlin has played this year could be considered "close" ‹ rarely have the Yeowomen found themselves seriously overmatched, even against conference leader Denison in the season finale. OC finished with a conference record identical to last yearıs team. Unlike last yearıs outcome, however, this 4-8 represents a squad in serious transition: a reserve of young, enthusiastic players working under two promising new coaches. If the final game against the Big Red is any indication, 4-8 could turn into 8-4 in no time at all.

The team now enters its post-season play, and Oberlin is the host of this yearıs MWFHCA Tournament, to be held this Saturday and Sunday at the Athletic Fields. This tournament serves as a capstone to the season rather than a final showdown and will feature the seven NCAC teams in addition to seven teams from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee, (the KIT conference) including DePauw, Rhodes, Bellarmine, Centre, Sewanee, Hanover, and Transylvania.

The fourteen squads have been divided into three brackets based on standings within each conference. Bracket "A" contains four teams: the first- and second-place teams from both conferences. On Saturday at one oıclock, each conference leader will play the second-place team from the other conference, and the winners of these two games will play each other on Sunday, again at one oıclock. Conference champions DePauw and Denison are nationally ranked 8th and 14th, respectively. As conference champs, both teams receive automatic berths in the upcoming NCAA Division III field hockey tournament.

Oberlin, ranked 5th in the NCAC, will compete in Bracket "C." After sitting out the first round of play, the Yeowomen will square off against the winner of Earlham vs. Rhodes at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. The victor will go on to face the winner of Transylvania vs. Kenyon/Hanover at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday.

"Weıre looking forward to finishing up the season strong," said Quinn. "Weıre excited that itıs on our turf."

Graham expressed mixed feelings about the format of the tournament. "The nice thing about this bracket [system] is that itıs more competitive," she said. The problem, however, is that Oberlin ‹ as the #5 team in the NCAC ‹ could end up playing Earlham and Kenyon, conference rivals the Yeowomen have competed against many times before.

In any event, all serious hockey aficionados should report to the green across from Philips Gymnasium this Saturday afternoon at three oıclock to watch the home team square off against either Kenyon or Rhodes.

Tough chicks with sticks: Intimidating, no? Just imagine how the other team feels when faced by the venemous Yeowomen. (staff photo)