Oberlin, Ohio – The Oberlin College men's soccer team dropped its North Coast Athletic Conference opener to the visiting Ohio Wesleyan University Battling Bishops by a score of 4-1 on Saturday night at Fred Shults Field.
 
The Yeomen struck first in the eighth minute as junior Trenton Bulucea sliced his way through the middle of the Bishops' backline before sending it out wide to an unmarked Jonah Blume-Kemkes. The Santa Monica, California, native would rip a low left-footed shot past OWU goalie Mike Heeschen for his first goal of the season and fifth of his career. For Bulucea it was his sixth helper of the year and it moved his career account to 19.
 
In the 23^rd minute, the Bishops would find the equalizer that was setup by a poor giveaway by the Oberlin rearguard. A lazy pass was intercepted by OWU rookie Ben Sobotka who proceeded to cash in the gift by beating Yeomen netminder Connor English in the one-on-one situation.
 
OWU would ultimately take a 2-1 cushion into the intermission as a long service from Adam Yingling put David Robinett in a dangerous position against English. The Bishops' senior would finish the job with a chip-in goal.
 
Oberlin's best chance to get back to even in the first half came shortly after the Robinett score as Bulucea sensed Heeschen was too far up off his line and he sent a long-range shot from the middle of the pitch that Heeschen was fortunate to save. The initial shot hit off his hands and was rolling toward the end line before he reached out and slapped it away to keep the Bishops out in front.  
 
Early in the second half, Oberlin had two promising chances that unfortunately never came to fruition. Blume-Kemkes was searching for his second tally of the day, but Heeschen stood tall once again, and just moments later the Bishops keeper was helped out by the post as Jiadi Cheng's shot drew metal.
 
Oberlin didn't get discouraged, stringing together another handful of attacks, but nothing that was able to penetrate the rearguard of Ohio Wesleyan.
 
A key insurance goal in the 80^th minute by Yingling gave the Bishops some breathing room, but Oberlin fought to the final whistle.
 
The Yeomen had a chance to shrink the deficit back down to one as a hard foul in the box would send Matthew Bach-Lombardo to the penalty spot. However, Heeschen's stellar performance continued as he guessed correctly – laying out to his right to deny Bach-Lombardo's shot for his seventh and final save of the night.
 
In the closing minutes, Sobotka would net his second goal of the night to cap the game's scoring.

English worked all 90 minutes in the Yeomen goal, making six saves.
 
OWU finished with a slight 19-17 edge in shots, including a 10-8 margin in shots on goal. The Bishops also triggered six corners compared to Oberlin's two.
 
The Yeomen dropped back to 4-3-1 overall and 0-1-0 in the NCAC. The Bishops head home 5-3-0 and 1-0-0 in league play.
 
Oberlin will be back in action on Wednesday night, stepping out of conference to battle the University of Mount Union. The first touch from Alliance, Ohio is set for 7:30 p.m.