The Oswego Lakers women’s lacrosse dealt out a brutal beating in their matchup against Fredonia Saturday. This dominant victory showcased the Lakers ability to perform and cleanly handle their opponents. When it was all said and done the Lakers walked out with a 19-4 W. This was the perfect way for them to kick off their SUNYAC play. The Lakers had a lightning fast start scoring six goals in the first quarter to Fredonia’s two. This would set the tone for the rest of the game. Junior Sela Wiley had a stellar performance as usual, scoring five goals and one assist. Sophomore Shae Mcconnell also had five goals in this contest. Despite Fredonia’s efforts to gain some momentum, the Lakers handled them easily as this contest was pretty much over by halftime. The Lakers look to keep these impressive performances up as they head to SUNY Oneonta Saturday at 3:00!
Image Provided by Oswego State Athletics
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Red Dragons Spoil Laker’s Senior Night
OSWEGO, N.Y – The Lakers suffered a tough loss at home during Senior Day as they fell to the Oneonta Red Dragons 1-0. This was the first time the Lakers lost at home this season.
The first half of the game was a defensive battle between the two teams. The first shot of the game would come from Emily Applegate but her shot was blocked by Oneonta’s defense. Immediately after Applegate’s shot was blocked, Lugina Serrao attempted a shot but her shot was blocked as well. Amber McDermott then attempted to shoot the missed shot by Serrao but she would miss. The Lakers recorded four shots during the first half but none were shots on goal.
In the second half, both teams started off slow. There would be 21 throw-ins in just the first 15 minutes of the second half. The Red Dragons would get their first shot in the second half at the 77-minute mark. Oswego would get their first chance to score around the 82-minute mark as Amber McDermott’s shot would be missed high into the air. Oneonta would score the only goal of the game as Gianna Gritzmacher would score the goal for Red Dragons as she was assisted by Tara Nicholson. Both Oneonta and Oswego would record a total of 5 saves during the game. Goalie Perri Anderson would record only one save during the game.
The Lakers face the Fredonia Blue Devils on October 19th at 3 PM at University Stadium. The Lakers are looking to get back in the win column as they have two games remaining this season both of them being SUNYAC matchups.
PHOTO CREDITS PROVIDED BY MICHELLE QUIACHON, WTOP PHOTOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT
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Early action in Men’s Soccer game earns win
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Oswego State Lakers traveled west on the thruway to take on the Buffalo State Bengals Wednesday afternoon. The action started early in this matchup as the Lakers scored twice before the second minute of the game. The first goal came off the foot of Kieran Gilroy a minute and twenty-two seconds into the game. Just thirteen seconds later Liam Rothar would score giving the Lakers a 2-0 lead. The goal was assisted by Chris Smith. The action didn’t stop there. Ten minutes later Buffalo State cut the Lakers lead in half. No other goals in the first half. Oswego goalie Matt D’Arpino made two saves in the first.
The second half didn’t have any goals, but did see plenty of action. The 66th minute saw competing red cards. Oswego’s Matthew Sprague and Buffalo State’s Ayden Cristales each received red cards causing both teams to go down ten men. Oswego would receive two more yellows in the game, with the Bengals receiving one. The game ended 2-1. Despite the win, the Lakers ended up being out shot 16-8, and outshot in shots-on-goal 5-3. Matt D’Arpino ended the game with a total of four saves.
The Lakers are now 5-6-2 (2-3-2 SUNYAC) and have 8 points. They are sitting sixth in the SUNYAC, the final playoff spot.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE QUIACHON, WTOP10 PHOTOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT
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Team Spotlight: Oswego State Men’s Soccer
OSWEGO, NY — The Oswego State Men’s Soccer team, a squad surrounded by a lengthy but rather disappointing history in terms of success, has recently been on the upswing the past couple of years. This due to the arrival of Head Coach Dan Kane, who took over the Lakers heading into the 2017 season. A program that has transferred from being a doormat for the SUNYAC to a championship hopeful which showed just a year ago. The 9-7-2 team lost to SUNY Cortland in penalty kicks, a once nationally ranked team, in the opening round of the SUNYAC tournament. The squad’s first appearance in the bracket since 2014 was another step in the right direction for the Lakers.
The obvious common problem teams face across the nation comes down to retention of progress gained over the course of more than one season. For Kane’s Lakers, the group realized quickly what was expected of them before heading home last semester.
“The team realized that we got to make some advances individually and collectively,” Kane stated, “if we are going to sustain our kind of progression from the last few years.”
Of course, the return to Oswego has been much different for a team that usually starts games before the start of September. Kane spoke on the lack of team practices has made team cohesion difficult, something the head coach wished the group had similar to previous years. However, Kane found a positive in the situation as the coach touched on how this difference gave him the ability to work on a different subject, the incoming Class of 2024.
“We are way further along in terms of getting to know them as people because we have been having so many calls with them.” Kane said, “I know our freshman a lot better than I normally would which I am really thankful for.”
The push to the potential spring season gives the new members of the squad an opportunity to gain maturity before their first steps onto the Laker Turf. Kane explained the “grind of college and of the season catches up” and often saw regression through the course of a season from his first-year athletes because of this. Coach continued about his envy towards spring sports due to this trend, that may now be able to be tapped into due to this uncommon season.
Another plus for these Lakers is the return of the backline and starting goaltender Brian Terra. The defensive core that held conference opponents to an average of less than a goal last season will continue to be the backbone for the Lakers success. A defensive strategy that Kane plans to build on to improve the game at the other end of the pitch.
“It is going to look different.” Kane expressed, “[We] are going to play a bit differently but the more you can rely on your defense to win individual battles, the more freedom it gives our attacking players to take some chances and be creative and get more numbers forward.”
For now, the Lakers will have to remain on the sidelines before kicking off their season after the end of the calendar year. A group that got a taste of soccer together one week ago at their first team practice on the Laker Turf. The torrential downpour of rain did not take off the smiles that were found on every student athlete.
“We were in small pods.” Kane continued, “the energy and the positivity at practice was amazing. They were loving it.”
However, the Lakers will not be able to continue preparation for the 2021 season until next semester after the postponement of Athletics due to the recent spike of COVID-19. This added set pack could put the group at a disadvantage compared to other SUNY institutions across the conference, but Kane is taking a different look at the situation.
“To all the teams that are practicing, I wish them well.” Kane stated, “we hope to be back there soon in January, and we will make the most of the time we are given. We are not going to be the team that has excuses like that.”
For this team, the optimism shines from the head of the program. The Lakers seem to be in good hands heading into the most unusual season in sports history. Kane acknowledged the adversity that lies in front of the group but told his athletes to stay committed to the process.
“This is no question a time of adversity, so what kind of growth can we have in these moments and the second thing is even though we are not able to be together in a normal sense, we still have to be for each other.” Kane continued, “Those are kind of the two biggest messages, stay present and be there for each other. When the referee does blow that first whistle and lets us play, we will be ready for that moment.”
Photo Provided by Oswego State Athletics
