Today marked seven losses in a row. Now 0-6 in conference matches, the Lakers hope to participate in playoffs has mathematically vanished. On Friday losing to Buffalo State 2-1 followed with another disappointing performance on Saturday against SUNY Fredonia.
The Lakers were once again shutout, taking a 2-0 loss to the Blue Devils. Only outshot 14 shots to 11, the Lakers were unable to finish inside the 18-yard box once again. A continued story for the Lakers, poor offense and under .500 records. Marking the 8th year in a row the Lakers have not qualified for the SUNYAC Playoffs.
“We want to put on a better performance, the kids are working hard and were getting a little unlucky at some points” coach Bob Friske said.
The Lakers offensive woes continue to cost them. The Lakers average under one goal per game and have been held goalless six times this season. So many opportunities to score but they fail to execute in the final third of the pitch time and time again. This past weekend the Lakers were only outshot 25-22, a very small margin. Opportunities to score have been halted by lack of creativity up top and miscommunication between forwards and midfielders.
“Our struggles aren’t just one thing, it’s multiple aspects that we need to improve on,” Friske said.
Scoring merely 10 goals in 13 games, the team looks for more production in the upcoming matches but it has yet to sprout on a season that is coming to an end. The combination play can be great running through the middle and out to the wing, but, it always finds a way to squander itself on the final pass looking to make way behind the opposing defenders.
10-9, the Lakers have had more combined shots on goal in the past two matches but only one goal to follow.
“We can’t finish; the buildup is solid but once its put on net the ball doesn’t find its way through,” Thomas Osborn.
Holding a conference record of 0-6, the Lakers are officially out of playoff contention.
“We were trying to play for a playoff spot but now we’re trying to knock people out of making playoffs,” Friske said.
30 goals let up and only 10 going in, the statistics speak for themselves. The defense consumes a ton of goals and the offense does not produce any thus resulting in 10 losses in 13 games.
The Lakers look to close out their season with some victories as they have four remaining matches. The next home match is the final one on senior yet as Morrisville comes to town on Oct. 26. With not much left to lose on the season, the Lakers look to just find their game in hopes of improving for next season.
“We’re still looking to put together a complete game and we have yet to do that so that is our focus moving forward” Friske said.
With a 1-5 road record, the Lakers face a tough task next Friday at Brockport. The focus continues to be more offense and to clean up defensively in the back. More communication, better off ball instincts and finishing is the focus heading into Friday’s match.
