Offense starts from the back moving forward.

A compact backline is the key to success in college soccer. This is the mentality of the Lakers as they look for their fourth win of the young season on Friday.

“We’re really strong and really experienced,” senior defender Mary Morrison said. “We work well together and always know where everyone is going to be.”

The experienced backline of Nicolette LaRosa, Chloe Lonergan, Katie Schulz and Mary Morrison have been playing together since August of last season when sophomore Lonergan joined the team.

The team’s physical play in the back has led to them only allowing two goals in the past four games.

“Giving up only two in our last four is really good,” Coach Brian McGrane said. “I’m very pleased with their play.”

After a slow start defensively this season, the veteran group has pulled together in the last four matches. After tying two Div. III opponents in Baldwin Wallace and St. Lawrence and coming out victorious against Alfred and Clarkson, the Lakers are beginning to pick up their play.

With great defense, a tendency of better offense is often produced. This is proven by four of the team’s 10 goals coming from three of the four backline players.

“We’re pushing up higher, resulting in more opportunities for goals,” captain Katie Schulz said.

“Our motivation definitely starts from the back and builds to the front,” Lonergan said. “When our defense is playing well it definitely shows and helps our midfield and then the midfield is able to help the forwards. So, definitely when our defense has good games it helps the rest of the team have a good game.”

A high line results in plenty of offensive chances for the Lakers, but also holds the threat of a possible counter-attack for the opposing team. With the experience their defense has, they do a great job killing most counter attack opportunities. Opposing teams average only 8.8 shots per game, a very impressive statistic since they have been faced with two overtime matches thus far.

Holding a 3-1-2 record going into this weekend, the Lakers have their first SUNYAC match of the season this Friday against SUNY New Paltz.

“We have to look at every game like it’s going to be the hardest game of the season,” Schulz said. “That’s our mindset.”

Solid leadership is where it starts if a team wants to be successful. That is what Schulz brings to this team as they approach a big match on Friday, a day they have not thrived on so far this season.

“We haven’t been good in the last two Friday games,” McGrane said. “We need to come out with a little more energy and focus. It is a huge game because last year I thought we were much better than them and we lost 1-0. It’s big from the standpoint that it’s the first conference game and it is at home.”

McGrane and the Lakers seem to be sharp and ready to take command in the SUNYAC against a weaker side in New Paltz this Friday. Every match matters, but there is always a special feeling of motivation to do well in conference matches, especially against a team that took three points away from the Lakers last season.

After falling to beat SUNY Oneonta in the conference semi-finals last season, the Lakers are looking for another shot at the SUNYAC Championship later on this season.

“Hosting a SUNYAC playoff game is one goal we have,” Schulz said. “For that we need to improve our conference play compared to last season’s.”

After winning their first SUNYAC playoff game in women’s soccer history over SUNY Geneseo at Oswego State, the girls look to repeat some of that success this season. A winning conference record is something the Lakers have their eyes set on and with a hungry backline they are on track to achieving that.

“We want to get in the conference tournament and from there anything can happen,” McGrane said. “It’s going to be a long road to get there.”