Oberlin, Ohio - The Oberlin College field hockey team enters the 2023 season with a blend of experience and upcoming talent that is ready to compete.

Oberlin is coming off its most successful season since 2013, but expectations within the program are even higher heading into this year. 

"I am very excited for what this season has in store," Head Coach Jess West said. "As a program, we will focus on the little wins throughout the season that accumulate into larger wins. We will focus on continued team growth, development, and mental toughness that will lead to program success."

While there is plenty of excitement surrounding the underclass, Oberlin is still blessed to have a plethora of senior leadership, headlined by two-time All-NCAC selection Abbie Patchen. A native of Pelham, New Hampshire, Patchen has started all 33 games of her career and is the anchor of the defense. 

The senior grouping of Susan Robinson-Cloete, Ruby Schreiber, Sara Fields, and Dee Pegues have combined to play in 110 matches while making 73 starts. Robinson-Cloete and Schreiber both found the back of the cage last year and Coach West is expecting even more production this fall. 

Oberlin's junior trio of Marina Matkovsky, Salem Holter, and Izzy Clauss-Ehlers have each displayed their strong skills over the past two seasons, making a combined 65 appearances while totaling 2,120 minutes of action. 

Elly Scheer headlines the sophomore class after an impressive rookie season in which she finished second in the NCAC and led the team with four defensive saves. A two-way player, Scheer also recorded two assists and was one of six different players to score a goal. 

Classmate Janny McCormick saw time in goal in seven contests, making 25 saves in just over 124 minutes of action. 

"We are returning a vast amount of players with strong work ethic and motivation to reach the next level." West said. "These seasoned players are driven and ready to compete."

McCormick is competing with first-year keeper and Potomac, Maryland, native Lelia Burki, who helped Winston Churchill High School to a 17-1 record and state finalist appearance as a senior. 

Annapolis, Maryland, product Clare Kammeier, Netherlands native Meghan Kramer, and Glen Ridge, New Jersey, native Ava Leone all come in highly touted with the ability to score and should each make an immediate impact on the Oberlin attack. 

Bella Tilford, who hails from Louisville, Kentucky, brings great passion and tenacity to the team and will be key in transition, while Zoe Eisen rounds out the group of newcomers and will provide additional support to the backline. 

"Positive energy, solid foundational skills, and impact players is how I would describe our first-year group," West noted. "The newcomers have already blended very well with our returning players and I'm excited to see how it plays out on the field."

Oberlin's schedule is road heavy with nine of its 15 games away from the Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex, which includes seven of the first eight games. The season will get underway on September 2 against Marian University while the conference slate commences with the home opener against Kenyon College on Wednesday, September 13 at 7 p.m.

Fans can watch all the home games live online. Home contests can be accessed on a TV through the official Oberlin College Sports Network app on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.