OSWEGO, N.Y. — The Oswego State women’s basketball team started the 2021 season off strong, going 3-3 in their first six games with an average margin of victory of 33 points. However, the Lakers suffered from a four-game losing skid to end the fall semester and now sit at 3-7 heading into 2022. Although Oswego is four games under .500, they boast two blowout victories over non-SUNYAC teams in SUNY-Delhi (75-39) and Wells College (73-23).
The Lakers are currently 0-4 in SUNYAC games with losses to SUNY Cortland, Buffalo State, SUNY Brockport and Fredonia. Though they sit one game back from SUNY Plattsburgh and two games back from SUNY Geneseo in the SUNYAC standings.
The Lakers are led by senior guard Danielle Caivana who leads the team in minutes per game (33.0), points per game (15.1) and 3-pointers made (25). Freshman forward Diamond Pickett is having a great start to her collegiate career, averaging close to a double-double with 8.3 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per game. Pickett also leads the team in field goal percentage, shooting 51% from the field. Sophomore forward Caitie Lilly has been the Lakers anchor on the defensive end, racking up 14 blocks thus far in the season, including back-to-back five-block performances versus SUNY Cortland and Buffalo State.
As a team, the Lakers are giving up 60 points per game, their lowest point total allowed since 2017. However, Oswego is only averaging 62.3 points per game, with that average being inflated from their 36 and 50-point victories earlier this season. Although the Lakers are on a losing streak, they’ve been competitive in all of their games thus far, with their biggest losing deficit being just 14 points.
With Oswego sitting at 3-7 entering the new year, they’ll need to be on the winning side of their close contests to have a shot at the SUNYAC playoffs. Luckily for the Lakers, there are more 15 opportunities for them to climb back into contention, with 14 of their next 15 games being against SUNYAC rivals. Oswego’s next game comes against Alfred State College on Monday, Jan. 4. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. at the Max Ziel Gymnasium.
Photo provided by Shelby Peplowski, WTOP-10 Photography Department
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Oswego womens hockey sweeps Morrisville this weekend
OSWEGO, N.Y. – It was a great way for the lakers to get back on track this weekend as they added two big SUNYAC victories to their record. The Lakers first faced the Mustangs in Morrisville where it was almost all Lakers from start to finish. After a scoreless first period for the Lakers Ashlyn Mcgrath scored two minutes into the second period. The lakers kept heavy pressure throughout the second period outshooting the Mustings 25-13. Mia Conboy tacked on another Lakers goal in the second scoring her first of the season. Morrisville was able to score at the end of the second but it was too late as the lakers momentum was not going to be stopped. In the third period sophomore Ashlyn Mcgrath scored her fourth goal of the season and second of the contest for the Lakers. A late goal by Mack Hull sealed the 4-1 win for the Lakers. The Mustangs had a chance at redemption the following day.The Lakers had a rematch against the mustangs this past Saturday this time in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena. This was another fantastic performance from the Lakers as they skated to another 4-1 victory. Another scoreless first period made the Lakers hungry to get on the board in the second. After a missed power play opportunity shortly into the second Amanda Zenstein scored her first goal of the season and the first goal of the game for the Lakers. The Mustangs would answer right back scoring their only goal of the game in the second. After having an amazing performance the day before, Ashlyn Mcgrath added to her weekend resume with another goal to put the Lakers up by two. Taylor Hudon would then put another goal on on the board for the Lakers. As if three goals on the weekend wasn’t enough, Ashlyn Mcgrath would score her fourth goal of the weekend and second of the game for the Lakers. Mcgrath has been a tremendous asset to this Lakers team and continues to prove her importance. The Lakers gained some needed momentum this weekend and look to keep it rolling as they take on the the Cortland Red Dragons this Friday in the Deb. Catch it live on WTOP10!
IMAGE PROVIDED BY OSWEGO ATHLETICS
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Oswego State Softball has Busy Weekend in Conference Play
OSWEGO, N.Y. — Oswego State Softball had a full plate over the weekend with a doubleheader Friday, April 9th against Geneseo, followed by a doubleheader Saturday, April 10th against Brockport. All four games were played at home with both doubleheaders being conference matchups for the Lakers. Oswego lost both games of Friday’s doubleheader 9-1 and 5-0, and dropped game one on Saturday 5-2, before bouncing back in game two in a 9-3 win.
The Lakers offense could only muster one run on five hits combined in Friday’s doubleheader against Geneseo. Game one of the doubleheader was shortened to five innings due to mercy rule, as the Knights would take it 9-1 in abbreviated fashion. Nicole Schwartz of Geneseo allowed just one run on four hits in her five innings, and Fiona Higgins matched up well allowing only three earned runs but nine total runs. Higgins also went 2-2 with the only Laker RBI of the day at the plate. Madelana Wrubel and Zoe Mennig each went 1-2, as Oswego’s four hits went stride for stride with Geneseo’s five, but the three Laker errors as well as the six walks Higgins surrendered dug the hole too deep for Oswego to dig out of. In game two, SUNYAC Pitcher of the Week Lauren Kersch from Geneseo came to the mound as she threw a one hit, complete game shutout. Oswego’s hit came courtesy of a Leah Czerwinski bunt, but the Lakers could not get a run across as Geneseo would take game two 5-0.
Oswego had little time to rest, as Brockport came to Oswego the following day. The Lakers defensive woes continued into game one with five errors, but Mennig was a bright spot with her bat as she was 2-3 with a run in the 5-2 loss. The Lakers shined in the second game of the day, and their fourth of the weekend. Oswego won game two 9-3 and the bats got hot with 12 hits, Wrubel went 2-3 with two doubles, 4 RBIs and 2 runs, and Mennig was 4-4 with a double, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs. Samantha Morgan threw five innings and allowing only three runs (two earned) and four hits in her first college start. Higgins came in to pitch two innings of relief in which she did not allow a hit, to go along with her 2-3 with a run and an RBI effort at the plate.
Oswego State softball will look to keep their momentum from the fourth game of the weekend rolling into their doubleheader Wednesday, April 14th at Buffalo State at 3:00 and 5:00. The Lakers return home the following day Thursday, April 15th for a 3:00 and 5:00 versus SUNY Cobleskill.
Image Provided by Lexi Fragapane Photography
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Oswego State Women’s Lacrosse Falls to SUNY Brockport
OSWEGO, N.Y. — The Oswego Women’s Lacrosse team lost their third straight game on Saturday, falling to the Brockport Golden Eagles 22-9. This loss drops the Lakers to 3-3 on the season and 2-2 in SUNYAC play. However, Oswego remains in 3rd place in the West division, ahead of SUNY Fredonia (1-4) and Buffalo State (0-5). With four conference games left before the end of the regular season, the Lakers are still in the hunt for a SUNYAC Championship spot.
The Lakers were competitive early on, leading the Golden Eagles 2-1 after quick goals from Logan Castiglione and Kamryn Sherman. But that would be the only lead Oswego would have all game as Brockport went on a 7-goal run midway through the first half and never looked back. The Golden Eagles out-shot the Lakers 36 to 22, with 26 shots being on goal. What really hurt the Lakers chances in the Saturday’s matchup were their defensive clears. Oswego had only 6 successful clears and continued to give Brockport second chance shots on goal. Seven Lakers scored in the matchup, including Isabella Lembo (2), Kamryn Sherman (2), Sela Wiley (1), and Shae McConnell (1). Logan Castiglione also added 1 goal and 2 assists. As for Brockport, they were lead by leading scorer, Heather Conklin, who totaled 6 goals and 2 assists. After starting the season 3-0, Oswego will now enter Monday’s game versus Buffalo State looking to end a 3-game losing streak. The Lakers previously defeated the Bengals 14-6 on April 10th. The women’s lacrosse team will need a win to stay alive in the playoff race. The opening face off is set for 4:00 PM at Laker Turf Stadium. WTOP 10 will be at the field broadcasting all the action.
