The Oswego State men’s lacrosse team was handed its first home loss on Saturday by SUNY Plattsburgh in a dramatic affair that was settled in overtime. Freshman midfielder Joey Kromer notched the game’s final two goals, including the game-winner, 1:36 into the extra period to send the Cardinals home with an 11-10 victory.
The Lakers (6-4, 1-2 SUNYAC) entered the fourth quarter leading 9-7, but were unable to retain the lead. Plattsburgh (10-3, 2-1 SUNYAC) drew within one goal quickly after the start of the final quarter, as senior Brett McClelland, who is an Oswego native, scored just 24 seconds into the quarter.
Oswego State was able to answer back two minutes later, as sophomore midfielder Connor Khammar scored his second goal of the game off an assist from fellow sophomore midfielder Matt Palmer. Unfortunately for the Lakers, that would be the final goal they would score for the remainder of the game.
The Cardinals struck again with 9:44 remaining in regulation on a goal from freshman attacker/midfielder Brendan Damm, his second of the game. The game would go scoreless for nearly seven minutes following Damm’s score, but Plattsburgh would end the drought. Kramer scored his second unassisted goal of the game with just under three minutes remaining, tying the game at 10.
The Lakers had just one possession in the overtime period, which resulted in a turnover. Kramer then went unassisted for the win.
Oswego State’s offense got off to a quick start, as the team scored the game’s first two goals. The Lakers would score four goals in the opening quarter, including the game’s first two goals. Junior midfielder Nick Giampaolo scored unassisted with 12:24 remaining in the opening quarter to take an early lead. Sophomore attacker Cody Hoose followed that up about a minute and a half later off of an assist from sophomore midfielder Jimmy Cordon.
Oswego State kept up the fast offensive pace in the second quarter, as the Lakers struck for three goals.
Hoose accounted for two of them, one unassisted and another on a pass from senior attacker and team captain Casey Balzer. Khammar scored the other Laker goal, with the assist going to Giampaolo.
Although Oswego State played strong offensively, Plattsburgh was able to keep up, as the game was knotted at seven going into overtime. The Lakers defense stepped up in the third quarter, as they held the Cardinals scoreless. Cordon and Porten each recorded unassisted goals in the third.
Hoose led the Lakers with three goals. Hoose has 20 on the season, tying him with Cordon for the team lead. Cordon tallied one goal and two assists in the loss. Junior attacker and team captain Chris Porten scored two goals.
Oswego State followed the loss to the Cardinals with another overtime defeat on Wednesday, this time on the road against SUNY Potsdam. The Lakers again lost by the score of 11-10, only the loss to the Bears took two overtime periods. Cordon scored a game-high four goals in the defeat.
The Lakers have only five games remaining on their schedule, with three of them in Oswego. They will play three more conference games in attempt to rise above .500 in SUNYAC play.
The Lakers will return to Laker Field for just their third home game of the season at 1 p.m. on Saturday. They will face off against SUNY Geneseo (4-4, 1-0 SUNYAC), as they look to get back on track after their 5-0 start to the season.
