Only five games into the season, the Yeomen lacrosse team is off to a strong start with a record of 4–1. The lone 5–6 loss came last Wednesday, when the Yeomen faced the Albion College Britons.

After a rocky start, the Yeomen ended the first quarter against the Britons down 2–0. Over the next three quarters, the Yeomen fought back, ending regulation time with a tied score of 5–5. Unfortunately, overtime ended with an Albion goal, leaving the Yeomen with their first defeat.

“We came out slow, battled back, but we were able to force overtime and lost it there,” said Head Coach Topher Grossman. “Had we played 60 minutes [at our best], as opposed to 45 on Wednesday I think we would’ve had a different result.”

Junior Sean Seaman expressed similar feelings. “I felt like we left a lot of plays on the field and didn’t make the most of the opportunities we had. We should’ve come out with a win,” he said.

Despite this, senior defender Paul Paschke acknowledged that Albion was a formidable team.

“Albion was a tough team. They’re the best team we have played so far and [they] have a good chance of making the NCAA tournament,” he said.

Assistant Coach Bill Schmoldt looked at this defeat in a positive light. “The Albion game was a missed opportunity, but the growing pains from that loss could have a long term benefit if we learn to put the mistakes behind us and make the next play,” Schmoldt said.

Although the team struggled to remain consistent throughout the game, the Yeomen played with intensity and had positive takeaways.

“I was proud of my team and how hard everyone played and how everyone contributed,” said Seaman. “First-year Jason Gibson really stepped up and played well in the game.”

Gibson had a game high of seven groundballs and won 10 of the 15 face-offs. The five Yeomen goals came from senior Connor Jackson, first-years Eric Hager and John Firestone and sophomores Nick Lobley and Matthew Fox.

The Yeomen had a quick turnaround after Wednesday’s loss, as they faced the Capital University Crusaders just three days later. Despite the frigid weather on Saturday, the Yeomen came out on top with an 11–3 win.

“Everyone’s sticks were actually frozen,” Seaman said. “We came out sluggish in the first and third quarters, but the second quarter was great.”

Nine of the team’s eleven goals came in that dominant second quarter. In the frame, Hager and Jackson each netted two goals. Jackson added another goal early in the fourth quarter to give him a hat trick for the game. Lobley, Fox, Firestone, and first-year Jack Frabrizio also scored, while sophomore Alex Wagman added two goals of his own.

“Our guys are seeing that when we’re playing our game and keeping it simple and playing uptempo, we can play very well and we can play with just about anyone,” Grossman said.

The Yeomen’s fifth game and fourth win came Tuesday night against Trine University. The final score of 8–5 was closer than the team and coaches anticipated.

“We really need to play a complete game and really work out playing 60 minutes of offense, defense and transition,” said Grossman. “Right now we’re playing inconsistently, but when we’re all on the same page it’s great. When we try a little too hard we’re not as good. We need to focus on sticking to our basics.”

Oberlin outshot Trine 40–21 with goals from Wagman, Firestone and Fox, along with two additional goals from Jackson and a hat trick from Lobley.

The Yeomen take on Adrian College next on March 19 and hope to return to Fred Shults Field on March 22 to open North Coast Athletic Conference play against the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops.