Crawfordsville, IN – The 17th-ranked Oberlin College men's soccer team continued its unbeaten streak, using a goal from
Brian James in the first minute of the second overtime to send the Yeomen home as 2-1 winners over the Wabash College Little Giants.
The second-career goal for James couldn't have come at a better time as first place in the North Coast Athletic Conference was on the line for both schools. The Yeomen, who are now 10-1-1 overall and 3-0-0 in the NCAC, are the only perfect team left in the league standings as they how gone unbeaten in their last 10 matches. The loss dropped the Little Giants back to 6-4-2 and 1-1-1 in conference play. The victory for the Yeomen also snapped a two-match skid against Wabash as the Little Giants have taken the previous two battles by 1-0 counts.
The Yeomen certainly made the most of their limited opportunities as both of their shots on goal in the match finished in the back of the twine.
Oberlin took an early 1-0 lead in the ninth minute as junior
Timothy Williams cashed in a service from
Trenton Bulucea for his fifth score of the season and 12th of his career. Bulucea continued his giving mood as he has now registered an assist in four straight matches to run his season account to seven.
The Yeomen were less than 10 minutes away from earning the win in regulation, but Nikola Kajmakoski had other ideas as he evened the match in the 81st minute with an assist coming from Riley Pelton.
Oberlin had a dangerous setpiece opportunity just outside the box in the closing minutes of the match, but it was ultimately thwarted by the Wabash rearguard. However, in the end the Yeomen were still able to secure three key points.
Wabash finished with a 12-9 edge in shots, which included a 7-2 mark in shots on goal. They also earned six corners compared to the Yeomen's three.
Koryn Kraemer stood tall in the Yeomen goal, making six saves to move his season total to 54.
Oberlin will have another tough test on Tuesday afternoon when the Kenyon College Lords come town for a 5 p.m. conference clash.
