Greencastle, Ind. – The Oberlin College women's soccer team opened North Coast Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon, playing DePauw to a 0-0 draw.
"Opening conference play on the road at DePauw and earning a point is a result we're really proud of, but I'm even more proud of how we did it. We're a very young team, and for so many of our players, this was their first experience playing in a conference match." Head Coach Taylor Houck said.
The Crimson and Gold finished with two shots and one corner kick, while Asha Locke kept DePauw off the scoreboard with five saves across all 90 minutes.
Locke made three saves in the opening half as Oberlin and DePauw entered the break scoreless. Lexi Reynolds recorded Oberlin's lone shot of the first half, while the Crimson and Gold's defense continued to keep the match within reach.
Oberlin came out of the break looking for its first goal of the afternoon, earning a corner kick in the 56' and continuing to battle for opportunities in the attacking third.
DePauw continued to pressure as the second half progressed, but Locke came up with two more saves to preserve the shutout. Oberlin's defense held firm through the final minutes, keeping the match scoreless through the final whistle.
Kylie Tinnirella recorded Oberlin's final shot in the 79' as the Crimson and Gold looked for a late breakthrough.
Locke finished with five saves and her first shutout of the NCAC schedule, while Oberlin earned a point in its conference opener.
"To step into a challenging environment and show the discipline, composure, and resilience required to earn a shutout and a point speaks volumes about the maturity of this group. They're young, but they're playing with a belief and toughness that is really exciting for the future of Oberlin soccer. This is a great foundation for what we know will be a competitive NCAC season."
The Crimson and Gold will continue NCAC play on Tuesday, October 6th against Wooster at 3 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.
