Women’s Volleyball
After starting the season 2-1 at the Canton Invitational, the Oswego State women’s volleyball team will head to Rochester this weekend for the University of Rochester Invitational. On Friday they will have their first contest of the tournament at 4 p.m. against host Rochester, 0-4, who lost all four of their matches at the SUNY Cortland Red Dragon Classic last weekend. The Lakers will then have another match at 6 p.m. against Skidmore, 3-0, who has yet to drop a game in any of their first three matches. On Saturday, they will face Hamilton College at 11 a.m., whose first match of the season will be at the invitational on Friday against St. John Fisher. The Lakers will conclude the tournament with a match of their own against St. John Fisher, 2-2, at 1 p.m. Entering his second year at the helm, Oswego State head coach J.J. O’Connell will face new challenges this season after leading the team to its first playoff appearance since 1996. After the departure of six seniors after last season, the Lakers only have four upperclassmen remaining on the roster. With eight freshmen coming into the program, the Lakers will certainly be one of the youngest teams in the conference. However, that has not proven to be a problem thus far, as freshmen Sarah Meredith and Emma Moriarty are second and third on the team in kills, respectively. In addition, freshman Lauren Edwards has already tallied 57 assists in the Lakers first three contests to lead the team in that category, and she also leads the team in service aces with nine. On top of that, junior Stephanie Bailey returned to the team after leading them in kills and blocks last year and being named to Second Team All-SUNYAC West Division, and she has picked up right where she left off.
Women’s Soccer
The Oswego State women’s soccer team will head to Plattsburg this weekend for a double header at the Plattsburg Tournament after beginning their season 1-1. On Friday at 7 p.m. they will face Bard College, who is also 1-1 on the season. Then, on Saturday at 1 p.m. the Lakers will take on St. Lawrence, 2-0, who is ranked as the No. 21 team in Division 3 according to the National Soccer Coaches Association Poll released on Tuesday. So far the Lakers have been led by senior Captain Nikki Liadka, who has tallied five of the team’s eight goals on the season. Four of her goals came in their 6-0 win against SUNYIT in the season opener, and she was recognized as the Oswego State female athlete of the week. As a team, Oswego State has managed to remain penalty free in its first two games while keeping fouls to a minimum. Meanwhile, sophomore goalkeeper Alyssa Glasshagel has posted one shutout and a .714 save percentage.
Men’s Soccer
The Oswego State men’s soccer team will host its third home contest of the season when they face Nazareth on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Laker Soccer Field. After beginning the season 0-2-1, the Lakers are still looking for their first win this year. Nazareth is 1-2 on the season, coming off an overtime loss against Cortland. The Lakers have been led thus far by seniors Mike Naab and Ryan Tibbetts who have scored the team’s only two goals on the season. Despite their losing record, Oswego State has only allowed four goals in three contests, and freshman goalkeeper John Runge has 10 saves on the season with a .833 save percentage.
