Oberlin, Ohio – The upstart Oberlin College field hockey team opened the season with a commanding 2-0 victory over the Ferrum College Panthers on Friday afternoon at the Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex.
The Yeowomen controlled the run of play throughout the contest, out-shooting the Panthers 19-9, which included a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal. Senior goalie
Kennedy Kline wasn't tested much, but did finish with four saves when called upon.
The Yeowomen got on the board in the 15
th minute when
Katie Ryan-O'Flaherty followed her own shot attempt that was initially turned away by Panthers' goalie Mia Holmes. However, the Oberlin senior was able to send the rebound into the back of the cage for her second-career goal.
Just moments after the restart, classmate
Amelia Huang sliced her way through the Panthers rearguard and put two shots on target. Her first attempt hit off the pads of Holmes and appeared Huang had an open net for the put-back attempt, however, Tatianna Roberts was there to make a key defensive save for the Panthers.
The Yeowomen would settle for a 1-0 lead at the half and then have to fend off some early second-half pressure by the Panthers before regaining control of the match.
Oberlin would ultimately cash in an all-important insurance goal with 12:21 left to play in the game as junior captain
Libby Royer found space in the middle of the arc and rifled home a deep cross from the right side by first-year
Lea Watkins-Chow. For Royer it was her seventh-career tally.
The Yeowmen defense would keep the clean sheet intact the rest of the way, fending off a pair of Panther penalty corners down the stretch.
Huang led Oberlin with five shots, while O-Flaherty finished with four. Sierra Magdeleno paced the Panthers' attack with three shots.
The Panthers will take on Concordia (Wis.) tomorrow at 12 p.m. at the Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex. Oberlin will battle Concordia on Sunday at noon.
