Oberlin, Ohio - The Oberlin College men's soccer team turned in its best performance of the season, defeating the visiting Heidelberg University Student Princes in commanding fashion, 3-0, on Saturday afternoon at Fred Shults Field. 

Senior Anthony Pacewicz guided the Yeomen effort as he factored in on all three scores, including notching his first-career brace. 

The Yeomen came out of the gates with a renewed spirit and completely controlled the run of play throughout the first half, out-shooting the Berg 9-1 in the period with five of their offerings being on frame.

After being set up with a pair of set-piece opportunities just outside the 18-yard box, one of three first-half yellow cards issued to the visitors gave the Yeomen another chance to cash in and this time Pacewicz took advantage of the opportunity, cashing in his first score of the year in the 19th minute. It was his fourth career goal and first since the 2022 season finale against Wooster on October 26 when the Yeomen and Scots tied 2-2. 

Moments later Oberlin had another promising free-kick chance from the top of the box but Carlos Febles-Flores saw his left-footed strike hit off the right post. Toby Wells-Zimmerman (2), Louis Gandelheid, and Jack Kaplan also had shots on goal in the opening stanza. 

The Student Princes' best opportunity in the first half came just two minutes into the contest as Brenden Turner escaped free on a counter-attack but first-year keeper Grayson Benson came off his line and made a diving save to his left to keep the Berg off the board and allow the Yeomen to carry a 1-0 lead into the intermission. 

Oberlin wasted little time doubling up its cushion following the restart as Xander Francoeur found himself streaking towards the back post in the 52nd minute and headed in a perfect service from Pacewicz after he accepted a beautiful lead pass from Ryan Vasko for his second career point. 

The Yeomen kept pestering the rearguard of Heidelberg and a foul inside the box gave Pacewicz a penalty kick opportunity in the 58th minute that he promptly buried into the lower right corner of the net. 

Oberlin, which has won two of its last three matches to move to 3-5 on the year, finished with an 18-9 shot advantage, including a 9-5 margin in shots on goal. OC also triggered six corners compared to their two. 

Benson, a rookie from Lutherville, Maryland, posted his second clean sheet as he made four saves to run his season account to 22. 

Oberlin is back in action on Wednesday night at Baldwin Wallace University. The first touch is set for 7:00 p.m.