Oberlin College Athletics

SEASON OUTLOOK

Oberlin is excited and ready for a fresh start under fifth-year head coach Kevin Walz. After a disappointing 2008 season that was infested with injuries, the Yeomen have the talent to climb up the ranks in the NCAC this season.

The Oberlin offense was prolific in 2008, averaging 8.5 goals per game and notched double-digit goals in six of 12
games. Sophomore Rob Bond, who is a co-captain, led the way with 17 goals during his first year. Junior Alex Jacobs also had a fine sophomore season, matching Bond with 17 scores.

Jewish Sports Review All-American Jesse Kane is a co-captain and is the senior leader of the club. The Roslyn Heights, New York, native deposited 14 goals to go along with a team-high 11 assists during his junior campaign. He also paced the team with 64 ground balls and had a .472 (34-of-72) face off percentage en route to earning All-NCAC Honorable-Mention honors.

Nick Thypin-Bermeo is another viable scoring threat from his midfield spot. As a freshman he played in all 12 games and made eight starts, totaling 11 goals and finishing second on the team with nine assists.
Sophomore Kif Leswig, who found the back of the cage five times in 2007, and freshman Theo Anthony are also two additional scoring threats for the Yeomen.

Defensively the Yeomen look to fill the void in cage caused by the graduation of 2008 NCAC Sportsman of the Year Drew Zambelli. Junior Alex Frank returns as the only cage dweller with college experience, but faces stiff competition from first-years Glen Gerbush and Jon Weisburst. Gerbush was an all-conference selection at North Shore High School in Nassau County Long Island, while Weisburst has great size and athletic ability to make exceptional saves.

Senior co-captain Matt Hollenbeck is a key cog on defense from his long pole midfield position. Junior Joey Pope transitioned to the defensive side of the field towards the end of last season and has the potential to be one of the premier defenders in the conference.

Voted Most Improved Defender by his teammates last spring, junior Luke Politis, along with shutdown
first-year defenseman James Kriz, add to the OC backline.

The Yeomen begin their season on March 8 at Adrian College with the home opener slated just three days later against Washington & Jefferson. NCAC play commences on April 1 at Ohio Wesleyan.