Fall Sports in Review

To end one losing tradition is a nice thing to do. To kill two, even better. But three? That's what the men's soccer team did this past fall. Oberlin's third conference win of the season, against rival Wooster, marked the first time in nine years that the Yeomen notched more than two conference victories. The victory also sealed a .500 record for the team - again, not accomplished in nine years - and marked the first time in a decade the men had defeated Wooster.

The squad was led to their 9-9-1 (3-6-0 in NCAC) record by junior midfielder Sam Hopkins and senior forward Jon Wilson who combined for over half of the Yeomen's goals. Hopkins and Wilson were third and fourth respectively in the NCAC in points-per-game. Junior goalkeeper Caleb Stokes turned in another fine season, tallying two shutouts and a 73.5% save percentage. Starters senior Chris Nytch, junior Ian Maher and sophomore Abe Jaffe anchored the defense.

Oberlin's scoring percentage was virtually the same as their opponents - a testiment to their balance between offense and defense - but the fact that effectively one quarter of their offense is graduating is troubling. The loss of Wilson leaves Oberlin with an offensive hole that needs to be filled if they hope to capitalize on the skills of Stokes and his probable successor, first-year Yoav Taal. Like football and baseball, men's soccer had a strong recruiting season and should be able to improve on their season-of-the-decade next year.

The women's soccer team was not quite as fortunate as their male counterparts, finishing with a lone win in conference and a 6-13 record overall in their first season under new head coach Jane Wildman. As so often seems to be the case, the final tally didn't tell the whole story. The season included three 0-1 losses and a 0-2 defeat at the hands of third-ranked Allegheny.

"Coach Wildman had a difficult job. She had to come into a growing program," said senior Katy Durham-Hammer. "She had to figure out what was going on and who everyone was. It was tough but she knows what we're all about and we know what she's all about, so I have no doubt that the team will get better with her at the lead."

Oberlin loses the services of Durham-Hammer and forward Maia Skutel, who was second on the team in points. Junior Becky Kanuch, who was first in points and in goals scored with 12, will be back, as will sophomore goalkeeper Julie Noyes, who managed four shutouts on the season. But unless the team can add depth to their attack and increase an offensive output that ranked near the bottom of the conference, Noyes' talents will likely be for naught.

Small numbers are practically a tradition for Oberlin field hockey, but no squad has ever let it affect them. In their first season under new head coach Liz Graham, the Yeowomen went 6-12 (4-8 in NCAC) but maintained a high level of play belayed by the final standings. Oberlin's fast break was regarded by many as the fastest in the conference, and the close of their season gave a glimpse of what the squad is capable of.

In a preview of the spring's lacrosse season, Oberlin lost their regular season finale in one of the more dramatic fashions possible, falling to NCAA qualifier Denison 3-2 in two overtimes. "The whole other team was shaking in their boots," said Graham. "I hope that next year we'll be able to ride that wave." The near victory over the undefeated Big Red sent a charged Oberlin squad into the post-season Great Lakes Regional Tournament where they dominated in their matches against Rhodes College and Transylvania University.

As is the case with many OC teams this year, field hockey only graduates one senior, but the loss is an important one. Captain Maggie McFalls was a four-year letter-winner for the Yeowomen and a key source of veteran leadership on a team primarily consisting of underclassmen. Chemistry was the big worry for Oberlin, but given that the team will have had an entire season to grow together worries for next year are few and far between. Sophomore Vanessa Wirth and junior Emily Johnson, fifth and eighth, respectively, in the confernce in points-per-game, will return to lead the young squad.

For the second straight year, the men's cross country team was hobbled by a key player's ailment. Unlike last year, when then-sophomore John Roger's twisted ankle contributed to a dismal eighth-out-of-nine finish, Oberlin was able to overcome the illness which sapped junior David Bevacqua's endurance to pull themselves up to seventh place out of ten teams, just a stone's throw from sixth.

The team responded well in their first season under the coaching of Athletic Director Mike Muska. Muska, who previously coached cross country at both the high school and college level, feels the team can improve further. "[Championships was] not indicative of what we can do," he said. Several players, including sophomores Forrest Crawford and Raymi Dyskant, had breakthrough years and can be expected to improve further next season. Dyskant finished less than 30 seconds out of All-Conference honors.

Oberlin will graduate only one runner, senior Colin Fishwick, and should be even stronger next year with the addition of several new first years. Despite the loss of Fishwick, cited by many for his sense of humor and team spirit, Oberlin is in prime position to match the women's cross country team who paced its way to its highest NCAC finish since 1983 by taking third at the conference championship.

First years Lori Tuchfeld and Laura Feeney took eighth and ninth, respectively. Junior Beth Spaulding was 21st. Their positioning made the difference, putting Oberlin seven points ahead of fourth place Allegheny, who was only able to place two runners in the top twenty.

In addition to Feeney and Tuchfeld, several runners had fine seasons, and several others, including first-year Jamee Ramsden and junior Jenni Huelsman used their progress during the season as a jumping off point for both the indoor and outdoor track seasons.

With the emergence of this year's first-year runners, the only issue for the ladies is staying together as a team, something the graduating seniors were excellent at. The Yeowomen only graduate three runners from a squad of 21, but those leaving will be missed. Co-captains Ann "Nicki" Atkinson, Rebecca Grossman and Medora Lytle provided leadership, albeit with random references to woodchucks.

With a perfect record in their first four games, Oberlin's volleyball team had already surpassed 1998's win total. Unfortunately, that would be the last good news for almost a month as the team hit the skids and couldn't buy a win. But they picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and took five more matches, including two key late-season conference wins, and clinched a post-season berth.

While their season would end in the first-round of the NCAC tourney with a loss to top-seeded Wittenberg, the Yeowomen had much to be proud of. With no graduating seniors, the squad returns what new head coach Elizabeth Ramsey calls "a solid nucleus of players who work well together."

Ramsey replaces Suzanne Garland who resigned earlier this year. While there has been a period of adjustment, the chemistry between team and coach is looking good. Said Ramsey, "After working with the team for a month now, I have developed respect for their work ethic, coachability, and their willingness to commit to the team."

While volleyball may be Oberlin's smallest varsity team, it is by no means its weakest. And despite the off-season coaching change "the outlook for next season looks extremely optimistic," said first-year Danya Abt. "Everyone seems to be at the top of their game, and several promising freshman are joining us next season. As always, OC volleyball is still having a lot of fun and looks great in spandex."

Inheriting a losing tradition is never easy. Beginning a season without a victory in two years and a meager 32 players is enough to give even Bear Bryant ulcers. But that was precisely what new head coach Jeff Ramsey was faced with. The men's football team had nowhere to go but up this year. And though the team still failed to record a victory, they grew leaps and bounds as a program.

The bulk of this year's offense was produced by an emerging triumvirate of first-year sensations. Quarterback Chris Moffatt, running back Josh Shapaka (who was later converted to wide receiver because of injuries) and wideout Cody McCoy all finished the season with flying colors.

In a close 29-27 loss to Earlham College midway through the season, Moffatt began to highlight his Oberlin resumé by setting college single season records for passing (342) and attempts (57). Shapaka had a hallmark game against Case Western Reserve University, in which the first-year caught 12 passes for 171 yards.

If Ramsey actually has 40 recruits coming in next year as he currently predicts, then for the first time in quite a while, OC football will not have to play ironman. With depth added to both lines, a strengthened air attack, and a coaching staff that, from all players' accounts, knows how to coach, the coming fall should be a pleasure to watch.