OBERLIN, OH – Kicking off their season, and the home season for the Crimson and Gold, the Oberlin College men's soccer team hosted RV John Carroll at home on a humid Friday night. After a scoreless first half, the Blue Streaks broke the game open with a pair of impressive goals to claim victory over the Yeomen, 2-0. Oberlin drops to 0-1-0 before playing later this weekend.
 
Earning the start in cage, newcomer Lukas Verling put up an impressive performance, recording four saves. Vince Fortuna came in for relief in the 80' after Verling suffered injury as the result of a JCU goal.
 
Walter Gomez-Torres also had an impressive debut for the Yeomen, playing more than half the game and recording a shot on goal in the opening half. Hudson Gazdak, and Matt Taubman, and Nathan Thompson locked down the backline, holding an enthusiastic Blue Streaks offense to just two scores.
 
Oberlin hunkered down on defense through much of the opening half, fending off a top-five regional opponent. The opening 45 minutes were highlighted by a leaping save from Verling in the 25' that redirected the ball just over the cage.
 
After Kelan Fay made a diving block to prevent the first goal, John Carroll broke the scoring open when they immediately rebounded the ball into the cage in the 56'. The Blue Streaks added one more insurance goal in the 80' to secure their victory as they held on for the 2-0 win.
 
Oberlin will return to the pitch next on Sunday, September 1 when they head to Ohio Northern for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
 
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.