Oberlin, Ohio – Powered by a second-half goal from Ian Herrera and a steady defensive effort, the Oberlin College men's soccer team earned a 1-1 draw with Ohio Wesleyan on Wednesday night at Fred Shults Field.
"I was really pleased with how we responded," Head Coach Blake New says. "We could have hung our heads after a poor performance last weekend, but I told the guys that's part of the process. We were dominant in this game and we should have won it, so we have to learn how to finish. Be happy that we bounced back, but also be frustrated that we came away with one point instead of three. That's this league. It's so difficult, and if we can keep pulling points and stay in the mix, we're going to be okay."
Oberlin held a 12-8 shot advantage and a 5-2 edge in shots on goal, along with a 7-5 edge in corner kicks. Appearing in the net for all 90 minutes of regulation, Lukas Verling made one save.
The Crimson and Gold controlled much of a scoreless first half, outshooting the Battling Bishops 6-5 and earning three corner kicks. Michael Dolton put the first two shots of the match wide, one left in the 8' and one right in the 15'. Verling made his lone save in the 20' to keep the game level, and Ishaan Saini put a shot on goal in the 41' that was saved by the Ohio Wesleyan goalkeeper.
Oberlin's pressure built early in the second half. Kinton Surface's shot to the bottom left was saved in the 51', and Sobha Magon's effort from the top right was turned aside in the 56'. The Yeomen earned three corner kicks between the 51' and 61'.
The breakthrough came in the 62', with a corner from Walter Gomez-Torres to set up Herrera who scored his first career goal to give Oberlin a 1-0 lead. Dolton tested the keeper again in the 64' with a shot to the bottom right that was saved.
Ohio Wesleyan equalized in the 75', and the Yeomen could not find a second goal.
Oberlin continues conference action on Saturday, October 17th at DePauw with kickoff scheduled for noon.
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