On Sunday afternoon, the Oberlin College field hockey team secured its first win of the season at Transylvania University. After a five hour bus ride, the Yeowomen defeated Transylvania 1–0 in a well fought battle that left the Pioneers scoreless for the seventh time this season.

Head Coach Jess West drew up a defensive gameplan for the Yeowomen. Transylvania attempted 12 shots on goal — eight on target — and 10 corners. However, Oberlin’s third-year goalkeeper Janny McCormick did not yield an inch, blocking all eight shots on goal to bring her season total to 123 saves while pitching her first shutout of the season.

Oberlin’s defense stayed strong, covering their gaps and supporting one another. In the 21’, third-year defender Elly Scheer broke the scoring drought for the Crimson and Gold. Mid-stride, Scheer smacked the ball past the Pioneers to give the Yeowomen their first goal since Sept. 21. It was Scheer’s first goal of the season and the fourth of her career. It was Oberlin’s only shot on goal, and it was all they ended up needing.

“I am usually a defender, but was put in as a forward for this game,” Scheer said. “I was mostly concerned with getting my positioning and the angles of the field correct in order to help my teammates. When I received the ball, it ended up being a one vs. one between me and Transylvania’s goalie. I was thinking about how I didn’t want to waste the opportunity; causing me to approach the ball with the mindset of, ‘There is no other option than for me to shoot and score right now.’” 

Although they had the lead, the Yeowomen remained disciplined on the defensive end. Transylvania attempted nine more shots in an attempt to even the score, but McCormick and the defensive backs were prepared to face anything the Pioneers had to offer. As the final buzzer sounded, the team erupted with excitement. 

This is the fourth consecutive year that Oberlin College has triumphed over Transylvania University.

“Being able to play in this game was a super exciting way to almost end my field hockey career,” fourth-year forward and midfielder Izzy Clauss-Ehlers said. “I’m super proud of everyone for showing up as a team.”