Coming into the 2002 men’s lacrosse season, there was more than just winning and losing to be considered. The question of whether there would be a team was the more pressing issue. Yet with 14 men, including seven returning from last year’s squad, the season will definitely go on, and the team will look to build on last year’s 2-9 (0-5 North Coast Athletic Conference) record.
First-year coach Rob Oldham will look to guide this team through the 2002 season with a little bit of help from senior goalie David Smolev, junior midfield attackers Erik Vachon and Alexander Yeh and sophomore defender Logan Hegg.
“I don’t want to place the responsibility on any one player. As a head coach I like the situation to be the coach leading and the players doing it on the field,” Coach Oldham said.
Vachon led the Yeomen in scoring with 23 goals and 13 assists for a total of 36 points last season.
“Vachon is going to be the guy all the teams key on this season,” Coach Oldham said. “He is always going to have one guy, most of the time two, on him.”
Smolev racked up 268 saves and two goals in the 2001 season for the Yeomen. He will look to break the 1,000 career save mark this season.
“Smolev is definitely a guy you have to look to for leadership this year,” Oldham said. Smolev is the only senior on this year’s squad.
Hegg is looking to come back with another strong season as a defender for Oberlin. He is expected to lead the young defense this season. “[Hegg] is one the best players we have, skill-wise,” Coach Oldham said.
Yeh, a junior transfer, will give the Yeomen that added punch up front, giving the Yeomen two strong goal-scorers in Yeh and Vachon.
“I’d love to have 30 [of Yeh] on the team, not just for his ability but for his mentality. The leadership he provides is non-verbal. He goes out and works hard. His actions speak louder than his words,” Coach Oldham said.
Rounding out the four returnees from last year’s team are junior midfield attackers Brian Lange and Sam Bryar, sophomore midfield attacker Aaron Krohn and sophomore defender Gabe Hendricks.
Newcomers to Oberlin men’s lacrosse team this year include sophomore Ryan Silakoski and first-years Joe Spohn, Robert Strauser, Nate Beckett, Mike McKenna and Daniel Cole. Silakoski, Spohn and Cole will help anchor the defense, while Strauser, Beckett and McKenna will contribute at attack or midfield.
“Strauser, Spohn and Silakoski have never played lacrosse before. They came out to support the team. Without these guys we probably wouldn’t have a team,” Coach Oldham said.
Coach Oldham’s expectations for the team right now are for them to get better everyday.
The Yeomen will travel to Marietta on Saturday to open their season. Last season Oberlin split with Marietta, winning at home and losing a close game on the road.