September 10, 2010

Oberlin v. Baldwin Wallace

We finished up the home stand on Tuesday versus another OAC opponent with Baldwin-Wallace visiting Fred Shults Field. The game had an ominous beginning when BW opened the scoring with a tap-in off a quick transition in the 7th minute. Despite the rest of the 1st half's numerous chances for both sides, the scoreline would remain 1-0 to BW at the half.

We made some tactical adjustments at the half and took the initiative early in the 2nd half. Our attack pressed forward and Matt Capozzi nearly opened his Oberlin account only to be denied for a corner. That corner would produce the equalizer when Alen Cisija's service bounced around in the penalty area and found Wyatt Hayman free to roof the ball into the net in the 53rd minute. However six minutes later BW would cash in on a scramble in front of goal from a set piece to go ahead 2-1. We continued to take the game to our opponents and Zach Lipshultz put in another good display with some key saves to keep the game at 2-1 but chasing the game again would catch up with us as we conceded a brace in the 83rd minute. Then with the game at 3-1 to BW, Justin Griffiths took advantage of a poor clearance and a wandering goalkeeper to put the scoreline at 3-2 in the 87th minute. Though the goal gave us a lifeline, the clock would run out on our comeback effort and we were left to regret our defensive miscues once again being on the wrong end of the scoreline.

Not much time to regroup before we head to Danville, Kentucky to face perennial powers Centre College and Transylvania University. We open with a stiff test Friday playing Centre in their home opener and on Saturday we meet Transylvania, a sweet 16 NCAA team from a year ago. We'll surely be tested but look forward to the challange.

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