She did not plan on being a Laker, but three years into her career with Oswego State, Emma Geyer is glad she made the decision to rep the green and gold and so is her team.

During her high school days at Liverpool in Central New York, Geyer had been told by many to head up Route 481 to play her college career in the Port City. Her parents pushed her so they could still be close to their daughter while her coach pushed her because his brother was, and still is, the head coach of the Oswego State women’s soccer team.

“We knew in high school she was a really good player,” head coach Brian McGrane said. “We knew coming in she was going to be a really big part of our program.”

The question remained, “Would she be a part of the program?”

She was unsure at first and wanted to see what else was around.

After making the trip up to the shores of Lake Ontario, seeing the campus and meeting with McGrane, she decided to make it official.

She was going to be a Laker.

“It all just kind of worked out,” Geyer said.

Flash forward three years and the junior has made a name for herself. In her first career game on Sept. 24, 2014, against New Paltz, she netted a hat-trick in the first 67 minutes of play. Geyer has scored 12 goals and 30 points since she stepped onto the field in the fall of 2014, more than any other Laker since then.

Despite that career day against the Hawks, Geyer only had one career goal against conference opponents. For a player that has started every game for the Lakers since she was a freshman. Geyer struggled to find the back of the net in the latter parts of the season in both her freshman and sophomore seasons.

McGrane sees how much Geyer has grown as a player since her first season. The Liverpool native is now a fast and physical midfielder, with a work ethic that is burying the chances she gets.

“She’s very composed now in front of the goal,” McGrane said. “I think last year she had a lot of opportunities that she just missed or waited a hair too long or shot too early. Where I think this year she’s finishing them nice and calm.”

That patience was evident against New Paltz, as well as on Sept. 17 against the St. Lawrence University Saints. With 30 seconds left in regulation and the Lakers down 1-0, Geyer was given a volley pass that was high in the air. The Saints’ goalkeeper came out to play it, but Geyer got her foot on the ball first, sending it over the goalkeeper’s head and dropping it into the back of the net.

With the success she is having, McGrane knows opponents will be game planning specifically for Geyer. The day after the New Paltz game, Oneonta was able to stop her from getting a single shot off, something she hadn’t done since the season opener.

“She’s going to see double teams, she’s going to see everyone’s best defensive midfielder,” McGrane said. “She’s the type of player that’s never going to want to take a minute off and continually work hard.”

With her skill set, work ethic and leadership, McGrane knows Geyer is one of the best he has ever coached at Oswego and believes she will able to overcome the tough challenges she will face.

“I truly think she’s a first team all-conference player and up there for player of the year,” McGrane said. “[She is] one of those players you wish you had 11 of.”

The 20-year-old has always pushed herself to be the best she can, with the support she receives from her parents, who come to every game, as well as her teammates and coaches. It motivates her to strive for more. Late in games when the pain settles in and the mental toughness takes over, Geyer stands by her motto.

“Do it for yourself, do it for your team and success will come,” Geyer said.

Only time will tell what kind of legacy Geyer will leave, as she still has a year and a half left with the Lakers. The individual accolades are something she’s aware of, but not focused on like other goals, goals like leading the Lakers to the SUNYAC title game, something the program has not done in 25 years.

“As we start to continue conference play and we see success, we’re just going to crave wanting to win more,” Geyer said.

Winning more, becoming better and being a great leader. Not bad for someone who did not plan on being a Laker.