Field Hockey Wins Against Transylvania in Last Non-Confer- ence Game

Field Hockey Wins Against Transylvania In Last Non-Conference Game

Kayla Kim

Contributing Sports Editor

In 80 minutes of action, the longest game of the season so far, field hockey won in a hard fought shootout against Transylvania University last Sunday. After a goalless double overtime, both teams engaged in strokes for a best of five, with Oberlin winning 3–1.

Oberlin’s defensive players took the stage in the shootout. Third-year Abbie Patchen started off strong with the first stroke attempt, followed by first-year Elly Scheer’s two shots. Ultimately, fourth-year Jackie Oh scored the winning point in what she called an “exhilarating” and “surreal” experience. However, she doesn’t take all the credit. Oh is grateful for the fans and fellow defensive players for keeping her motivated throughout the lengthy game.

“I don’t consider my shootout the game winner because it would not have been possible without the efforts of [fourth-year] Post, Abbie, and Elly,” Oh wrote in an email to the Review. “Post had amazing saves, and Abbie and Elly secured some great shootout goals prior to mine. Because overtime is only 7v7, I had a lot of teammates on the sideline cheering me on and pushing me to be the best player I know I can be.”

Captain and goalkeeper Post played an important role in halting Transylvania’s persistent offense with six saves during the main game. They also blocked three out of four shootout attempts. Like Oh, they

Jackie Oh dribbles past Transylvania University in last Sunday’s game. Courtesy of Suada Duvette and Chase Sortor

remarked that this has been one of the strongest defensive lines in field hockey’s recent history, and working alongside them has been a hallmark of this season so far.

“Jackie, Elly, and Abbie are some of the most talented players I’ve ever worked with,” Post wrote in an email to the Review. “A lot of work on the field comes down to presence, communication, and drive. If we show up to a game wanting it, it’ll project us forward. The defense and I have worked hard to maintain that tone throughout games, even the more challenging ones.”

This marks the second year that field hockey has reigned victorious over Transylvania; last season, Oberlin won their first and only game against the Pioneers. This was the last game against a non-conference team, as Oberlin will begin conference play this Saturday starting with the Allegheny College Gators. Fueled by the two Transylvania wins, Post hopes that the team can finish fifth in the conference and is excited at the prospect of more wins and celebrations to come in their final season.

“Last year when we beat them, it was our only win of the season,” they wrote. “To be not even halfway through the season and beat them and two other teams feels incredibly important. Moreover, there is [an] insatiable drive to win more games, to finish every game feeling like we left it all on the field. … I want to uplift my peers and celebrate the family we’ve helped create and maintain.”

Women’s Soccer Beats Football In Penalty Kick-Off

Zoe Kuzbari

Contributing Sports Editor

Last week, women’s soccer took on the football team on Bailey Field in a penalty kick/field goal competition. Each team had three players from their roster attempt shots and also selected a coach to end the contest. This friendly competition was the first time many of the athletes had played the opposing team’s sport. While the competition remained close for the majority of the game, the Yeowomen came out on top.

Third-year football player Jack Diskin said that although he didn’t attempt any penalty kicks, he did “bring the juice.”

“Whenever soccer would go up to kick we’d get rowdy,” he said. “After our guys made a kick we’d bring the whole team together and celebrate. The women’s soccer team definitely brought the intensity — they came out to our field and definitely let us know after they won with a bit of trash talking.”

Third-year women’s soccer player Zoe Maddox, also known as Benji, played a pivotal role in securing this win for the soccer team as she was able to save a penalty kick and tie up the game.

“I saved one PK, and that was wicked exciting,” she said. “PK’s are almost always in favor of the penalty kick taker, so anytime I can make a save during them, it’s exhilarating. After making the save, my whole team ran to me jumping and screaming, and that is always a great feeling. Even though this was a friendly competition, I was gonna make sure I did everything I could to ensure my team’s victory. My save also tied up our score before [Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach] Lydia Mitchell kicked her field goal, which was the last one to be taken.”

This was indeed a big save that was crucial for the team. In the last round of kicking attempts, football’s Tight Ends Coach Cade O’Connell wasn’t able to seal the deal for the football team, but Assistant Coach Mitchell drilled a field goal right down the middle to win it for her team.

Diskin said that despite the loss, the game was still exciting and fun for both teams.

“I was pretty impressed at both teams’ ability to play the opposite sport,” Diskin said. “Especially because all the guys we had kicking penalty kicks didn’t have much experience kicking a soccer ball. The entire time we were all going crazy and screaming.”

Maddox described this year as a “transition year” for the women’s soccer team, not only with their play on the field but also with how they engage with the community off the pitch.

“This was an excellent opportunity for our team to interact with another athletic team we don’t often engage with in a fun and friendly environment,” she said. “Our team has a lot of pride and loves competition, so playing against football was a really fun experience for us all.”

Despite only participating in kicks, both teams did well and might have found a new passion. Who knows, maybe Head Football Coach Steve Opgenorth will start recruiting from the women’s soccer team if he needs someone to kick a field goal.