Emma Geyer, a senior from Liverpool, New York, is the captain and main facilitator for the Oswego State Lakers women’s soccer team in what will be her final season. Geyer has started for the Lakers in every game of her career, dating back to the 2014 season when she received  Second-Team All SUNYAC honors.

“We want to host a playoff match. The SUNYAC Championship is our goal, and I think this year we have the team to make it,” Geyer said.

The women’s soccer team did not make playoffs that season, but the team showed improvement, and Geyer gained experience and knowledge from the upperclassmen.

“Ever since I have been a freshman, the seniors and upperclassmen have motivated me,” Geyer said. “Each and every year I play hard for my seniors because it’s their last year and they put so much into the team each and every day.”

With seven other seniors on the team, Geyer is not only playing for herself, but also her teammates. The group has appeared in the SUNYAC playoffs two of their three seasons and are looking to make their third appearance this season.

“We’re a really close group, we love soccer, we’re best friends on and off the field, and we all motivate each other to do the best we can each day, and we’re just looking to have a good season,” Geyer said.

Chemistry has become the focus from Coach Brian McGrane’s side. Bonding together as a team on and off the field has given the Lakers potential for a successful season. Team dinners, study hours and hang outs the team partakes in together.

“I feel like this team’s attitude on and off the field improves day by day,” said Coach McGrane.

Geyer has played soccer her whole life, including at Liverpool High School where she was named First Team All-League for Central New York. The Syracuse area produces many talented soccer players, but the Lakers have been gifted with what has been an amazing career from Geyer.

Geyer has scored 15 goals and distributed seven assists through 55 career games as a Laker. For Geyer, it is not about the stat line, it is about playing her hardest to give the team the best shot to win.

“I never think of it that way. I go out every game thinking this is my last game; I play hard, and whether it’s doing good on defense, making a good pass or scoring a goal, I’m looking to do what’s best for the team,” said Geyer.

For Geyer, her approach is team first. On and off the field, she is there for her teammates and coaches. Off the field, Geyer is a scholar athlete holding one of the highest GPAs on the team.

“A fantastic kid, she’s great in the classroom and she holds a GPA in the high threes, which is just unbelievable. She won the Chancellor’s Award last year as well,” said McGrane.

The Chancellor’s Scholar Athlete Award is given out by Oswego State to students that excel in academics, research, leadership, athletics and community service. The award is given out to four Oswego State students per year, and is the highest recognition through the statewide university system. Geyer was honored with the award following her 2014-2015 academic year. She was one of two student-athletes to win the award and the only female athlete to win that year.

“She’s one of those players you wish you had 40 of, you know,” McGrane said.

Unfortunately, that is not the case, but what the Lakers do have is a team with depth, speed and skill on their side. Geyer is looking to produce top level play, on both sides of the ball as she anchors the central part of the field.

“We have great chemistry on and off the field, but the more we play together, the more games we have and more success we have, together will really help get our team into a top SUNYAC contender,” Geyer said.

The Lakers will go on the road this weekend to play Clarkson Friday and St. Lawrence Saturday.

“Every game is important to me,” Geyer said. “One team I really would like to beat is Cortland to make it four seasons in a row beating one of our biggest rivals.