Oberlin College Athletics

The 2009 Oberlin field hockey team will look to climb back into the conference title hunt after a season of close calls in 2008. The Yeowomen will take the field vying for their second NCAC title and second NCAA post-season playoff berth under the direction of eighth-year Head Coach Deb Ranieri.

Despite a disappointing season in 2008, the Yeowomen return one of the best defensive squads in the league and enter the 2009 season riding a two-game winning streak. In 2008, Oberlin held opponents to two goals or fewer in eight of 18 matches, including the final three contests of the season.

Headlining the defense in 2009 will be junior captain Gillian Winbourn. Winbourn has been a pillar of the outstanding Yeowomen defense, notching All-NCAC honors in each of her first two seasons. Last fall, Winbourn was also named to NFHCA Second-Team. Set to lead a resurgent Oberlin squad is junior goalkeeper Manya Lulek. The Holliston, Massachusetts, native started in goal for the crimson and gold in 16 of the team’s 18 games. In her first year in the cage Lulek recorded three wins, two shutouts, and a conference-best 191 saves. Sophomore Ariel Schuster is ready to help bolster the defense, while possessing the versatility to play up front and in transition for the Yeowomen.

On the other end of the field, sophomore Emily Whitaker leads the Oberlin offensive attack. In her first season at Oberlin, Whitaker started all 18 games and paced the team with 66 shots. As an offensive sensation and all-league selection at Pelham Memorial High School, Whitaker is primed to find the back of the net early-and-often in 2009. In addition, Whitaker will also play a vital role on defensive corners.

The Yeowomen return a battle-tested, hard-working group of young women who finally saw the fruits of their hard work come together in the last week of the season as they defeated Ohio Wesleyan and Denison on the road. A taste of success motivated the team to put in tremendous dedication during the off-season, which should lead to even more team success in 2009. Other returning contributors include junior Natasha Cohan, who finished second on the team with five goals, and sophomore Kiri Brenner. Oberlin’s returning players all gained valuable experience in 2008, having played in each of the team’s 18 games. New faces in 2009 include goalkeepers Kiran Puri and Emily Biglow, defenseman Sonya Kaufman, attacker Yona Koch-Fienberg, and midfielder Eloise Reid.

Oberlin opens the season with three straight road battles - the first being on September 1 at St. Vincent College. The
Yeowomen’s first home contest is on September 10 as they commence conference action against The College of Wooster.