Oswego State Lakers men’s soccer won their first SUNYAC match of the year by a score of 1-0 over the New Paltz Hawks.
A tactical battle between two young coaches, Dan Kane & Kyle Clancy. Kane and the Lakers played a slowed, possession based passing attack. From the back moving forward they looked for the easiest pass and played the ball out wide to their wingers.
“It was difficult to get the game started at first but, we were able to start collecting passes together to get through the defense,” forward Hasaan Musa said.
Musa scored the lone goal in the match off a great cross from Jason Siracuse. Musa leads the SUNYAC in goals with seven through eighth matches. He is also tied for the most assists in the conference, Musa and Connor Lunduski share the lead with six assists each.
“The one opportunity we had, we capitalized on it and that’s all that matters in the end,” Kane said.
The Lakers through 90 minutes had one only shot on goal and it was their only goal. Kane switched up the team’s tactics for this match in order to cope with New Paltz’s three-man attack. The defenders played deep, midfielders cut passing lanes and the forwards pressured the backline to force a counter attack.
“We can swing the ball wide and utilize our midfielders but today, it started with defense and when you can win balls and gain back possession consistently it gives you an advantage,” Kane said.
New Paltz registered three shots on goal and had some opportunities throughout the entirety of the game. Early in the second half, Hawks striker Ben Zilka struck the ball wide off a skipping cross from Kevin Doorley on what could have been the first goal of the match. Goal scoring opportunities rarely came for either side today. New Paltz now (4-4) on the season takes on Cortland tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Laker goalkeeper Brian Terra started his second match in a row and now holds a clean sheet through 180 minutes of soccer.
“With all the guys behind my back they have really helped me improve my play and make me want to give it my all every time I step out on to the field,” Terra said.
Terra, a freshman earned the starting position after subbing in to the Lakers match against St. Lawrence after goalie Evan Bogucki received a red card.
“He was great today, stepped up to the challenge and played really well for us,” Kane said.
Kane confirmed that Terra will be the starter for tomorrows match against Oneonta. Terra insisted his confidence has come from the all the support of his teammates and coaches and believes the team’s success has come from all the positivity.
“He’s awesome in the goal, he’s great with his feet, we all trust him in the back, he’s really coachable and he’s only going to get better,” Musa said.
The Lakers (6-1-1) on the season are now (1-0) in the conference. Tomorrow’s matchup is another tough conference battle against Oneonta 1:00 p.m. at Laker Turf Stadium.
“I’ve seen them on film, they have a freshman that might win conference player of the year but, this is a great opportunity to play the number seven team in the country,” Kane said.
“The key is you have to connect passes and if we want to be successful we’ll have to do that,” Kane said.
Photo: Cole Parzych | The Oswegonian
