OSWEGO — The Men’s Hockey team will start their 2019-2020 regular season today against SUNYAC opponent Cortland. The Lakers are looking to continue their success last season versus the Red Dragons after sweeping their opponent both home and away. The most recent preseason poll has the Lakers slotted in the sixth position under Hobart (5) and Geneseo (3). After going 2-0 against Carleton Place and Nazareth in exhibition, the top story going into this season is who Ed Gosek will be starting between the pipes. Puck drop will be at 7 p.m. at the Marano Campus center. Of course WTOP10 has you covered with Hockey Night in Oswego starting at 6:30 p.m.
Photo Provided by Alexis Fragapane
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Women’s basketball loses tough SUNYAC matchup
OSWEGO N.Y. — The women’s basketball team took their fourth straight loss Saturday afternoon. The Lakers kept it close but ultimately lost 55-49 to the Cortland Red Dragons. The Lakers Danielle Caivana opened the scoring in the game with a three. Cortland wouldn’t let the Lakers capitalize on potential early momentum and went on a 17-2 scoring run. Shania Iglesias hit a buzzer beating three at the end of the first quarter to make the score 17-8. The teams traded baskets to start the second quarter. The Red Dragons extended the lead to 34-18 before the Lakers would go on an 8-0 run and close the gap to end the half. The Lakers shot 10-31 (32%) from the field in the first half, and 6-17 (35%) from deep. Cortland shot 14-38 (37%) from the field, and 2-10 from three.
The third quarter started strong for the Lakers, a small 5-0 run in the first two minutes saw them close the gap to 31-34, before Cortland would score their first basket. A two and a half minute scoreless run to the six minute mark was followed by a 9-2 Cortland run to extend their lead back to twelve, and end the frame. Oswego started the fourth like they started the third, this time four quick points out the gate to cut the Cortland lead to six. Cortland would answer with a three and get the lead back to 48-39. The teams would go back and forth for the remainder of the game and get to the final score of 55-49. Shania Iglesias had a team high fourteen points. Danielle Caivana was the only other on the team over double digits with twelve. Diamond Pickett had ten rebounds to go with six points. The team finished the game 19-66 (29%) shooting, and 8-31 (26%) from three.
The women’s basketball team currently sit at 3-11 (0-8 SUNYAC). Their next game is in Geneseo against the Knights as the look for their first in conference win. Tip off is set for 5:30 on p.m. Tuesday, January 25. WTOP 10 will continue to provide coverage of the Oswego State women’s basketball team as the group continues their 2021-22 season.
IMAGE PROVIDED BY SHELBY PEPLOWSKI, 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
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Women’s Hockey drops first game to London Junior Devilettes
OSWEGO — Hockey in Oswego started Saturday afternoon with a game featuring Women’s Hockey and the London Junior Devilettes. This match up would be the first of two exhibition games the Lakers would play before the start of their regular season in two weekends. All though the team would fall to London 4-0, the group laid down steady work that can be improved on in the coming weeks. The Devilettes would put only one goal past senior Rachael Farmer in 14 shots in the first period. Tia Trovato, freshman goalie, would allow three goals in the third period despite a 10 save effort. Women’s hockey looks to move on into one last exhibition game Saturday against William Smith. Puck drop will be at 3 p.m. at the Marano Campus Center.
