Oberlin, Ohio - Making the most of their rematch with the top-seeded Bishops, the Oberlin College men's lacrosse team lost a heartbreaker to Ohio Wesleyan 11-10 on Wednesday evening. The loss eliminates the Yeomen from the NCAC playoffs, concluding their season with an 11-5 record while going 5-3 in conference play.
 
Putting on a defensive clinic, the Oberlin defense was led by the underclassman duo of Colin Taylor and Cooper Rand, with the pair combining for nine ground balls and seven causes turnovers. In the final game of his career, senior backliner Gavin Girard added three more ground balls along with a caused turnover, while junior Jake Fields added a ground ball and spill of his own. 
 
Offensively, first-year Cooper Zancosky shined, recording six points on an even split of three goals and three assists. Juniors Jacob Starcke and Solomon Brennan also found the net twice apiece, with second year Asher Friedman dishing out two assists as well. 
 
For the specialists, Sardina ended his first season with the Crimson and Gold on a strong note, claiming 19/25 faceoffs while scooping six ground balls alone the way. Stepping in for the injured Joe Barocas in cage, junior Jake Pillsbury recorded 8 saves in addition to corralling five ground balls, making a number of impressive saves throughout the game. 
 
 The opening frame of the conference clash proved to be a defensive battle, with first blood not struck until Ohio Wesleyan attackman Carson Geier found the top of the net on a step down from the wing at the eleventh minute mark. It would be another eight minutes until the Bishops would find the net again to take a 2-0 lead, soon followed by a Cooper Rand fast-break goal to get the Crimson and Gold back within one entering the second. 
 
The second quarter proved to be a higher scoring, back-and-forth affair, with each squad finding twine three times to bring the score to a 5-4 Bishop lead entering the half. Coming out of the break, Brennan would break the ice first, rifling an underhanded blast past the Ohio Wesleyan keeper to level the score at 5 each. Oberlin would continue to fire offensively in the remainder of the third, depositing four more with their defense holding the Bishops to two, giving the Crimson and Gold a 9-7 entering the pivotal fourth quarter. 
 
The fourth quarter, unfortunately, would see the Yeomen offense sputter. While Starcke was able to find twine for the first goal of the fourth frame, the Ohio Wesleyan defense buckled down for the next fourteen minutes, holding the Crimson and Gold scoreless while their offense was able to score four crucial goals, with the ultimate game-winner coming via a Henry Ross shot with forty-six seconds left. Despite a last minute shot attempt by Starcke, the Bishop keeper stood tall, giving Ohio Wesleyan the 11-10 win. 
 
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Oberlin will preserve their talented core of young talent, and will take the summer to further their craft before returning to the field in the fall with eyes on making a statement in the spring. 
 
Fans can keep up with their favorite teams on Instagram, Facebook, X, or TikTok, and watch all the home matches live online. The Crimson and Gold's home broadcasts can be accessed on TV through the official Oberlin College Sports Network app on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.