OBERLIN, OH- In a game that featured a trio of hat tricks, the Oberlin College women's lacrosse team notched their first victory of the season in 16-10 fashion against John Carroll on Wednesday night. Oberlin evens out to 1-1 on the season ahead of their first out-of-state road trip.
 
Megan Hiller, Abbie Patchen, and Emily Shimabukuro each tallied four goals in the home opener. Hiller complimented her game with a team-high three caused turnovers and four ground balls. Senior Caroline Lee also brought in four ground balls, while Olivia Corradi, Janny McCormick, and Kaela Wilson added three apiece. Lex Escobedo had an impressive showing as well, with a career-high four draw controls.
 
In goal, McCormick struggled at the start of the game but came alive at just the right time to lift Oberlin to victory. The second-year keeper made nine stops in cage.
 
Oberlin wasted no time getting on the board, with Hiller capitalizing on a failed clear attempt by the Blue Streaks. JCU responded with a flurry of scores, putting the Crimson and Gold down 3-1. It took 1:20 for Oberlin to regain their lead, behind goals from Audrey Koren, Shimabukuro, and Patchen.
 
The momentum continued for the home team after Maya Blevins caused a turnover on the defensive end that turned into a Corradi goal 60 seconds later. The Yeowomen were far from done, scoring another pair of goals on the heels of JCU yellow cards. With 45 minutes left to play, Oberlin went to the period break with a 7-3 advantage.
 
It was all Shimabukuro in the second period, with the senior scoring three goals off the free position. The Crimson and Gold defense allowed just one goal in the quarter, with McCormick coming up clutch to make four saves. With a comfortable 10-4 lead, Oberlin headed to the benches for the halftime break.
 
John Carroll came out firing on all cylinders, scoring a pair of goals in the early minutes. The Yeowomen broke up the momentum with two goals of their own to extend their lead to seven.  JCU scored twice more, but Patchen capped the quarter with her eighth goal of the season.
 
With a 14-8 lead, the Yeowomen cruised in the final period of play, dominating the draw and keeping even with the Blue Streaks. Patchen and Hiller combined for Oberlin's last pair of goals to claim a 16-10 victory in Knowlton.
 
The Yeowomen dedicated their home opener to Morgan's Message, an organization that strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community. You can support their cause through a Venmo donation to @oberlinsaac.
 
The Crimson and Gold will hit the road for their next test in Danville, KY, against Centre College on Saturday, February 24. The Yeowomen and the Colonels are slated to begin at 12 p.m.

Fans can watch all the home matches 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.