Oberlin, Ohio - The Oberlin College women's soccer team put forth a valiant effort against the visiting Denison University Big Red on Wednesday night at Fred Shults Field but in the end didn't have much to show for it in a 2-0 defeat.
Oberlin had plenty of scoring chances but failed to cash in as some bad luck and stingy play by Big Red goalie Molly Noga led to the clean sheet for the visitors. Oberlin finished with a 19-16 shot advantage, but it was Denison who put eight of its attempts on frame while the Yeowomen had six on target. OC also finished with a 4-2 advantage on corner kicks.
Oberlin had a few promising opportunities to post a tally in the opening half when a corner kick landed into the box with
Skylar Leung's initial attempt being blocked and
Zoe Garver's follow being denied by Noga in the 28th minute. Senior
Tacha Lee also had a strong look late in the frame that sailed this just wide of the cage.
However, Denison would net the lone goal of the first half as Mara McGlone headed in a free-kick service from Reily Brinley in the 30th minute.
Early into the restart, NCAC leading scorer
Heather Benway was looking to add to her nine-goal total and level the count. However, she would push one just wide off the left post and moments later had another shot that bounced back off the crossbar to keep the Big Red out in front.
Denison was gifted its second goal of the night in the 63rd minute as a member of the Oberlin rearguard slipped to the ground, resulting in a one-on-one chance for Caroline Flynn, who beat
Ali Grant for her third goal of the season.
Oberlin kept fighting, however, ripping off eight more shots after the second Big Red tally with attempts from
Sophia Timm-Blow and two more from Benway all being saved Noga.
Grant made six saves on the night to run her season account to 70.
The physical affair featured 25 fouls and two yellow cards - both of which were shown to Oberlin.
The loss dropped the Yeowmen back to 6-6-2 overall and 2-2-1 in the NCAC while Denison improved to 8-4-3 and 3-1-1 in league play.
Oberlin is back in action on Saturday afternoon at Wittenberg University. The first touch is set for 2:30 p.m.
