As the doors open on a new fall sports season at Oswego State, it’sa new beginning for the men’s soccer squad with the addition of 13 new members.

2015 was a forgettable season for the Lakers as they went 5-10-1 overall and 1-8 against SUNYAC teams.

The young team is headlined by three senior captains who are hungry for success.

Bob Friske, who entering his 12th season as head coach looks to lead his team to their first winning season since 2006. The Lakers are also trying to escape their 10-loss rut they have been in since 2009.

“The ultimate goal for this season is to make the playoffs,” Friske said. “Our goal is to always to play the best soccer that we can.” 

Led by captains Mitch Brickman, Brian Torchia and Harrison Rieber, the team has clear intentions to live up to their potential and make the SUNYAC playoffs this season.

This season, the seniors have a different approach, an approach that is for the good of the team. They want to play a possession-based style of soccer within their 4-4-2 formation as they look to push the ball and be aggressive within 18 yards of the goal. This style of play relies most heavily on the communication between the backline, headed by the senior center backs and star full-back Thomas Osborn.

Last year, the Lakers’ defense let up 11 goals in the first half of their matches, putting them in a deficit almost every game. 

“We are past that, last season is done with,” Brickmore said. “This is a new team looking to accomplish big things.”

One concern that is looming over the Lakers is goalkeeper depth. Jon Runge was sidelined earlier this week with a shoulder injury that he sustained in the 3-2 loss to Norwich. However, sophomore Evan Bogucki was able to shutout Hamilton College in place of the veteran goalkeeper. If the both members of the goalie tandem produce at the level they have so far this season, Oswego State should be in good shape.

The players that were apart of last season’s losing team have long forgotten the things they did not achieve in the past. 

“[The] SUNYAC Championship is the goal for me, I’m all in it for the team,” Torchia said.

The leaders of the team are not ones to boast their own abilities. They are here to help the growth of this program and teach the newest members what it means to be a Laker. This season’s team believes that this is their year and it is time to put Oswego State on the map for men’s soccer.

“It feels like we’re back,” Friske said. “Training is fun, the guys are practicing hardnd its making the games enjoyable too.”