Oberlin College Athletics

The Oberlin College women’s soccer team went unbeaten in its final two games of 2008 and has the core talent in place to pick up right where they left off this season.

The senior keeper tandem of Sarah Grabinski and Christie Zelnik will serve as team captains as they possess the leadership and skill to take the Yeowomen to the next level. Grabinski, who started 10 games in net a season ago, made 90 saves and turned in an impressive .811 saves percentage. The Elmhurst, Illinois, native, who registered two shutouts, led the North Coast Athletic Conference with 6.92 saves per game and went on to earn First-Team All-NCAC and Third-Team All-Ohio accolades. She also posted double-digit saves on three occasions – including a school-record 16 in a 0-0 double-overtime stalemate against Ohio Wesleyan on October 29. Zelnik, who made seven starts last fall, will also see time in goal along with sophomore Kelsey Atkinson.

Junior Veronica Fusco guides the Yeowomen offense and looks to increase her team-leading six goals from 2008. Fellow junior and 2008 All-NCAC Honorable-Mention selection Lois Immerman is poised for a breakout season after finishing second on the squad with 32 shots and eight points to go along with one game-winning goal. After spending the beginning of her freshman season on defense, sophomore Lori Sako continues her transition to the frontline and has the potential to be a force along the outside. Second-year player Ryann McChesney, who started all 18 games while dishing out two assists as a rookie, is expected to contribute to the scoring barrage. First-year product Hannah Combe comes to Oberlin with a lot of promise and ability to contribute immediately. The Granville High School graduate set a school record with 25 goals during her senior season and was honored as an Ohio Interscholastic Soccer Association First-Team selection and National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Region IV recipient.

Katy Holihan, one of nine juniors on the Yeowomen roster, anchors the midfield and is vital in helping Oberlin turn over the field in transition. She started all 15 games she played in a year ago, registering one goal – a game-winner in a 3-2 victory over Mount Union on August 30. Amelia Jarvinen, who made 15 starts as sophomore while finishing third on the team with two goals, is counted on to increase her offensive output this fall. Rounding out a trio of junior midfielders is Sami Taylor. The most defensive-minded player of the group, Taylor played in 12 games, registering one assist last season.

Juniors Abby Laman-Maharg and Liza Marshall lead a defensive unit that is looking to return to its 2007 form where they gave up the least amount of goals in 18 years. Marshall started 17 of 18 games as a sophomore, recording one assist
on the year. Due to injury Laman-Maharg saw time in just 11 contests last season, but did start all 17 games in her first year. Sophomore Briggin Scharf, who participated in eight games in 2008, will also provide support on the backline.

The Yeowomen open the season on September 1 under the lights of Fred Shults Field against Mount Union College. After nine non-conference tilts to start the season, Oberlin begins NCAC play on October 3 at Earlham College.