Oberlin, Ohio – Securing their first victory of the season on Shults Field, the Oberlin College men's soccer team took down Hiram 4-0 on Sunday afternoon. The blank slate moves the Yeomen to an even 1-1 on the season.
 
It took less than a minute for the Crimson and Gold to get going, beginning with a penalty kick in the Louis Gandelheid after Oberlin drew a foul inside the goal box. Sending the ball into the corner, Oberlin got on the board 50 seconds into the match.
 
The aggressive Terriers defense fouled the Yeomen again just 20 minutes later, giving Oberlin another penalty kick. Gandelheid again took the stripe and out of reach and in the net.
 
Up 2-0, the sophomores got in on the scoring action behind a pass from Kelan Fay that connected with Walter Gomez-Torres. The duo gave the Yeomen the 3-0 lift in the 63'. The backline of Hudson Gazdak, Matthew Taubman, and Michael Dolton held Hiram to just eight shots all game, giving up three to be saved by starting keeper Lukas Verling.
 
The onslaught of offense continued into the final minutes of action, when a cross from Enrique Porras Jr. to Christopher Plenca bounced off their defender's chest and into the cage. The own goal by the Terriers extended Oberlin's lead to 4-0 in the final 3:39.
 
"I thought the guys played well, and anytime you can draw two penalties, it means we are getting behind teams." Head Coach Blake New adds, "Lots of things to work but a positive first step"
 
The squad takes the week to recover before hitting the road for a pair of games over the weekend. First, the Yeomen face Grove City at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 5. The team turns it around for a matchup the following day when they take on Chatham on Saturday, September 6, at 4 p.m.
 
Keep up with the Crimson and Gold on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, and watch every home game on the Oberlin Sports Network online or on Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV.