Oswego State goalie Emily Varonier took the unconventional route to becoming one of the leaders on the Oswego Women’s soccer team. Varonier, a senior from Miller Place, N.Y. came to Oswego State her junior season, and was given a chance to start in net.
Varonier played in 17 games a season ago, and compiled an impressive 1.47 goals against mark. She had 66 saves and helped lead the Lakers to a 10-7 record, the most wins for the Lakers in 10 years. Varonier solidified her spot as one of the leaders of the team last year, and her poise has carried over into the 2012 season.
“My confidence has grown tremendously,” Varonier said.
The senior has been impressed with the chemistry of this year’s squad, and says that it has been key to winning
“I think we as a team are more determined than last year and we have a lot more passion, we work hard on and off the field,” Varonier said.
Head coach Brian McGrane has been thrilled with Varonier’s performance this year.
“Emily is a natural leader, she communicates extremely well,” McGrane said. “Her work ethic this year in practice shows during games, she is a confident player that you want to have in your goal.”
The last few years has been a rebirth for the women’s soccer team, and McGrane said that Varonier has been an instrumental part in revitalizing a once struggling club.
“Our program has grown tremendously in her short time at Oswego, she has played a pivotal role for us,” McGrane said.
Individually, Varonier has kept the Lakers in games when the offense has struggled, holding opponents to one goal or less in six of seven games. Varonier has been able to shut the door on opposing offenses completely at times this year, shutting out Fairleigh Dickinson and SUNY Potsdam in two of the Lakers’ five victories this season.
Varonier has had her share of struggles as well. She was the hard-luck loser in matches against SUNY Oneonta and SUNY New Paltz, back-to-back games where the Lakers were defeated 1-0. Even with her stellar play, Varonier is not satisfied. Her main goal is winning.
“I really think we have a chance to do well, I think we can make the SUNYACs,” Varonier said. “We have a few big games coming up if we work hard we definitely can make it there.”
The Lakers picked up two critical SUNYAC victories against Potsdam and SUNY Plattsburgh last weekend, and Varonier said this team is capable of doing damage down the stretch.
“Getting those two wins, its huge,” Varionier said. “It proves that we are a good team. We are right up there with the top teams in our conference.”
Varonier said that she will forever cherish her time at Oswego State, and some of the moments with the team will stay with her forever.
“Just the team memories, the accomplishments that we had are very important to me,” Varonier said.
Oswego State currently stands at 5-4-0 overall, with a 2-2 record in SUNYAC play. Varonier and the Lakers will head out on a two-game road trip against SUNY Fredonia (7-2-1) and Buffalo State (2-6-3), looking to continue a two-game winning streak.
