Oswego State women’s soccer is coming off a huge victory this past Saturday, upsetting No. 8 SUNY Geneseo on the road 1-0. The victory comes at an important time in the season for the 7-5-1 Laker team as they look to make a push for the playoffs.

Head coach Brian McGrane pointed out the historic victory and its significance on multiple levels.

“I think for the standings it was huge because I thought we’ve been playing well. We just didn’t get the result on Friday against Brockport,” McGrane said. “And I thought there were a few other games in the conference that we dropped that shouldn’t have. So, in terms of standings, it was huge going into this Saturday.”

The victory may have been just a regular season win, but still was crucial for the Lakers in their playoff race and is considered one of their biggest wins in program history.

“In terms of [Geneseo’s] ranking, it’s obviously the highest ranked I think we’ve beaten certainly in my time, and I’d be hard-pressed to think that we have beaten anybody higher ranked in the history of the program,” McGrane said. 

The Lakers were able to accomplish this victory thanks largely in part to solid play in front of the net by sophomore goalkeeper Emma Allen. Her efforts, which included 10 saves, saw her receive Laker Athlete of the Week, as well as SUNYAC women’s soccer Athlete of the Week honors. Something these awards were able to accomplish that SUNY Geneseo could not, was catching Allen off guard.

“It was very unexpected,” Allen said. “Actually, one of my former teammates told me that I was SUNYAC Athlete of the Week, and I was just blown away. I kind of couldn’t believe it.”

In reference to her play in goal against Geneseo, Allen kept her approach simple and commended the exceptional support she received from her defense.

“I was just really confident, didn’t want to let any goals in.” Allen said, “[Geneseo] took a lot of shots outside the 18. I just had to prepare for them. My defense is pretty strong. They tell me when shots are coming and when shots aren’t. They were pretty good at clearing the ball and just staying ready at all times.”

McGrane also added his input on the goalkeepers’ superb play in her award-winning performances over the weekend.

“It was huge,” McGrane said. “I thought she came up with three or four really good saves and I thought the rest were routine, but nonetheless, it was a pressure-packed game in terms of being up one with 36 minutes left.”

A win like the one the Lakers got against SUNY Geneseo helps toward clinching a playoff spot. The way Allen sees it, not much else matters. 

“It means everything. We have a big game on Saturday, so it makes it or breaks,” Allen said. “We’re really pushing it this week to get everything in and be ready for Saturday.”

 Senior midfielder Sarah Grupp also played a major role in last weekend’s victory over Geneseo, as she scored the game-winning and only goal.

When describing the play on which she scored, Grupp said it simply came down to her being in the right place at the right time.

   “Audrey [Burbidge] had a free kick just outside the 18. She served a perfect ball, and I thought Chloe [Lonergan] had it. Then she all the sudden whiffed on it, so it went right to me, and I was in the right spot and was just able to finish,” Grupp said.

    Riding a hot streak of two goals in the last three games, Grupp said that the team’s improvement in certain areas has been a big help.

“I think our services are getting better, so it definitely makes them more dangerous each time we’re in the box,” Grupp said. “I know Chloe and I are always looking for the ball.”

With just one match to go, the Lakers have their sights set on their regular season finale against SUNY Cortland and clinching a playoff spot. 

“We’re definitely preparing hard because it’s a must win in order for us to make the playoffs,” Grupp said. “It always seems like it comes down to the game with Cortland every year, and we’ve knocked them out the past two years, so we’re looking to do it again.”

As mentioned earlier, the Lakers look to clinch a spot in the SUNYAC Championship playoffs this Saturday as they go on the road to take on fourth

Photo: Austin Dearborn | The Oswegonian