Freshman goalie, Maddie Allen, makes a save during practice Wednesday. The women’s lacrosse team is currently on a six game losing streak headed into their match against Hiram saturday. KALEB VANARSDALE / THE DEPAUW
Back at their home field to open NCAC conference play, the Tigers took on the Oberlin College Yeowomen last Saturday at Reavis Stadium.
The ladies had returned just days before from their spring break trip in California.
While out west, they faced tough competition from the University of Redlands and Chapman University.
“The competition in California was fierce. It always is,” said senior defensive midfielder Abby Snively. “The playing style out west is aggressive and the teams are talented, so we knew we had an uphill battle from the get go.”
The Tigers put up a good fight but were not able to convert against the talented teams, and headed back to Greencastle with two losses.
Turning the page, DePauw came out strong against conference opponent Oberlin College (5-3).
Oberlin made a statement right off the bat, scoring four goals in the first 10 minutes of play.
But the Tigers refused to submit.
Senior attack Elizabeth McCracken got the Tigers on the board with 15:13 remaining in the half. This was McCracken’s seventh goal of the season.
Oberlin countered McCracken's goal with two of their own, giving them a 6-1 advantage.
DePauw then took charge, ending the first half on a 5-1 run in the closing 10 minutes of play.
Two of the five goals scored in the run came from junior midfielder Emilye Denny, with a single assist from junior attack Nicole Gibson contributing to Denny’s effort.
Denny then returned the favor by assisting junior attack Taylor Summers during the next conversion.
Adding to Denny and Summers' efforts, sophomore attack Emma Flynn and first-year Madi Lozanoski were also credited a goal each in the final first half effort.
Despite closing the half trailing 7-6, the Tigers planned to carry their new-found momentum into the second half.
But the Yeomen opened the half strong with a quick goal to extend their lead to two.
However, Flynn managed to net her second score of the game to return the Tigers' deficit to a single point.
Oberlin refused to waver and ran away with the next 10 minutes of play, converting four unanswered goals to secure its victory.
Senior midfielder Maryclaire Heldring was assisted by McCracken in a last ditch effort made by the Tigers with six minutes left to play.
The Yeowomen reinforced their finish with a final goal in the remaining 22 seconds of the match.
Junior goalkeeper Liz Hawkins held the Tigers steady in goal, recording 10 saves on the day.
With the loss, the Tigers dropped to a record of 1-7 overall and 0-1 in the NCAC.
“I think focusing on Oberlin in terms of a win versus a loss is a mistake and a narrow-minded way to interpret what was actually happening on the field," Snively said. "Just because people see an ‘L’ on the stat sheet does not mean we feel like losers."
The team continues to excel in practices, according to Head Coach Julie Sargent. She said the losses from these tough opponents only add fuel to their fire.
“Our schedule is designed so that we play the best of the best,” Sargent said. “We don’t want easy wins. We want to get better.”
Sargent commends how the ladies have remained positive and focused despite the misconceptions of their record.
“Losses are not set backs, they are learning experiences,” she said.
DePauw will travel to Hiram (3-4) on Saturday in hopes of continuing their improvement.