As the Oberlin men’s lacrosse team gears up for the 2025 season, Head Coach Ryan Polak shared his excitement about the direction of the team in an interview with The Oberlin Review.
“Team culture and mentality has changed drastically,” Polak wrote in an email to the Review. “We have a tighter group this year that is very motivated to accomplish special things.”
With a blend of experienced veterans and promising newcomers, the team is setting its sights high for the upcoming campaign. Notable returners include third-year attackman Jacob Starcke, who continues to be a consistent offensive force, holding the all-time single-game record for goals. Starcke, who has been instrumental in driving the offense, reflected on the team’s hard work and unity heading into the new season.
“We’ve put in the work during the preseason, and now it’s all about coming together as a team and battling through,” Starcke wrote in an email to the Review.
Fourth-year captain Jonas Taylor-Lillquist, a pillar of the defense, enters his final season having started all 49 games of his career, providing stability and leadership on the back end.
The team also welcomes 15 first-year players, injecting fresh talent and energy into the lineup. This influx of newcomers adds depth to the squad and provides additional competition for starting roles, ensuring that the team remains hungry and motivated throughout the season.
“We have added a very deep and talented first-year class that has been very impressive thus far,” Polak wrote. “We see us playing more team lacrosse, and believe we will be able to pick up right where we left off.”
With an exciting 9–6 win in their first scrimmage against Capital University, the Yeomen are off to a strong start.
Looking ahead to conference play, Oberlin faces many exciting challenges. The Yeomen will once again strive for a strong showing in the North Coast Athletic Conference. With a demanding schedule that puts Oberlin head-to-head with Denison University in their first weekend of conference play, the Yeomen will have to bring their A game from the start. Facing Denison, the reigning NCAC champions, will be a true test of Oberlin’s readiness and resilience.
“Every year, it’s our expectation to make the NCAC Tournament, and fight to win an NCAC Championship,” Polak wrote.
With the blend of leadership, experience, and youthful energy, the team is ready to take on the competition and further their growth as a program. The Yeomen will officially start their season at home against Chatham University Feb. 22 at 1 p.m.
The Oberlin women’s lacrosse team is also eager to make a strong start to their 2025 season, with fresh leadership and renewed energy driving the program forward. With the recent addition of Head Coach Malory Nadrah, the Yeowomen are looking to establish a new era of success. Nadrah, who joined the team after a successful stint at Marietta College, brings a wealth of experience and an impressive record to Oberlin. In an interview with the Review, she expressed her excitement about the team’s potential.
“This team has all the pieces to be successful,” Nadrah wrote in an email to the Review. “I think what we’ve needed is just a fresh start, which is what I’ve been aiming to provide.”
Nadrah’s approach is already resonating with the players.
“The team is working very hard and is buying into our new identity as a program,” Nadrah wrote. “Our goal is to work hard, have fun, and never give up. We want to build up to becoming one of the top teams in our conference, but it starts with us solidifying our foundation first.”
With a focus on team unity, discipline, and perseverance, the Yeowomen are poised to grow stronger throughout the season, and Nadrah’s leadership is setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting year for the program.
With seasoned returning players like third-year Megan Hiller and fourth-year Izzy Sunday anchoring the attack, along with third-year Maddie Weathers, who led the team in caused turnovers last season, the Yeowomen are well-positioned to build on past successes. The leadership of these experienced players, combined with the infusion of talented first-year players, gives the team the depth and energy needed to make a strong push in the NCAC. As they integrate new talent and continue to develop their cohesive team identity, Oberlin is primed to take the conference by storm and compete at a higher level than ever before.
Sunday is looking forward to competing for the Yeowomen in their first season under Nadrah.
“After all the hard work we’ve put in during the preseason, I’m excited to see how our team comes together under new leadership,” Sunday wrote in an email to the Review. “I’m confident that we’ll build on this strong foundation and achieve our goals this season.”
The Yeowomen are working towards a season of growth against formidable opponents. Their season is full of tough opponents to get Oberlin to the top of their game entering conference play.
“Each game for us is important,” Nadrah wrote. “Our non-conference games are opportunities to really get comfortable as a team. Our hope is to then peak when we hit conference for when we see Kenyon [College] and all the other top teams in our conference.”
The women’s lacrosse team will kick off the season tomorrow at Transylvania University.
