By Amanda Zumpano
The Oswego State men’s lacrosse team beat Utica 15-7 today for their best start since 2013. With the victory, the Lakers improve their record to six and one. Bobby Emerson scored the team high with four goals and Caleb Alford, Kyle Bacon and Jarrod Wilkom each scored two. Oswego’s defense did not go unnoticed forcing sixteen turnovers. The Pioneers were only able to force four. Oswego will play their next game on Saturday at three when they play their first SUNYAC game against Brockport.
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Liverpool man sentenced to 20 years on rape conviction
A man who forcibly raped a woman in the Village of Phoenix in July of 2005 has been convicted. Joseph A. Stefanovich was sentenced to 20 years in state prison by Oswego County Court Judge James Metcalf, for Rape in the First Degree. Stefanovich will also receive five years’ post-release supervision. The conviction pertains to an allegation that Stefanovich grabbed the victim from behind, put her in a chokehold, and dragged her into a wooded area where the offense was committed.
Stefanovich was linked to the case due to a DNA sample from a 2006 case. The DNA was on profile due to a prior sexual offense conviction.
At trial, Stefanovich claimed that his DNA appeared in the rape kit because he had a consensual encounter with the victim on the day of the offense. He told the jury that another person must have raped her later that same day.
The victim testified that she did not know Stefanovich and had never engaged in consensual intercourse with him.
District Attorney Gregory Oakes, the prosecutor of the case, stated that he wanted to commend the victim for having the “strength to come forward and the courage to testify at trial. Our community is now safe from this predator because of her bravery and fortitude. It was an honor to stand up and fight for her in court.”
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Reynolds Scores Lone Goal on Lakers’ Senior Day
The Oswego State field hockey team suffered their fifth straight loss after falling to Oneonta, 5-1 on Senior Day. After the defeat, the Lakers drop to 5-8 overall and 2-4 in the SUNYAC while the Red Dragons move to 13-3 overall and 5-1 in conference play.
In just the eighth minute of the contest, Oneonta’s Carissa Warren opened the scoring to put her team up 1-0. By the end of the period, the Red Dragons were carrying a 2-0 lead into halftime. Oswego’s lone score came in the 41st minute off an empty net goal by Katie Reynolds. However, it would not be enough as Oneonta would add three more in the second half. In her last start as a Laker at Laker Turf Stadium, goalie Sarita Charap had 16 saves.
The Lakers will look to end their regular season on a high note when they travel to St. John Fisher on Tuesday for a 5 pm contest.
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Title IX Training
by Jihad Yarber
Oswego, NY- April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month.
According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), 11% of college students experience rape or sexual assault on campus. Oswego State educates those on campus about how to assess these situations through Title IX training.
Title IX is a section of the federal Education Amendments Act of 1972 that prevents sexual discrimination in colleges. Discrimination includes sexual harassment, assault, and rape.
Title IX training is required for many clubs, organizations, and employers on campus. It goes through the basics of sexual harassment training and how to avoid being a bystander.
Oswego State student Alyssa Barrett says the Title IX training provided on campus is beneficial.
“I feel like it was beneficial, not just for organizations or jobs. I think the video they show was effective. I think it’s important just to know about it in general,” she said.
Fraternities and sororities on campus must also go through the Title IX training in order to spread awareness about sexual harassment and assault to incoming members.
“Greek life honestly has a bad reputation,” Kappa Sigma president Steven Gerencser said. “People just think that we’re drinking clubs and all we do is take advantage of girls and do all that stuff, but I think it’s good because it shows we don’t just do that, it’s not the stereotypes. We care about people and it’s good we’re teaching our pledges that.”
Both Barrett and Gerencser feel the training is an excellent step to assure their wellbeing.
