The 2018 Oswego State men’s lacrosse campaign got underway this past week with a win and a loss to open up its non-conference schedule.

On March 4, the Lakers defeated Hartwick College 13-8 at Laker Turf Stadium. Sophomore Kyle Bacon, who was a big part of the offense last season as a freshman, scored four goals in the Lakers’ win.

“I definitely got better over the fall, I think so,” Bacon said. “Just coming into the season strong, that’s what I’m hoping for and keep going.”

Along with Bacon, Tim Schof, Jared Wilkom and Bobby Emerson, all underclassmen from last season, accounted for 125 points and were each top four on the team in goals scored.

“I think they really learned the speed of the college game compared to the high school game,” head coach Dave Bezek said. “We preach consistency. All those guys were thrown into a role earlier than they probably should have. But I think down the road here, it has payed dividends to them, just being confident and being able to have success on the field.”

Bezek is entering his fourth season as the head coach of the program and has not had a winning season or trip to the SUNYAC postseason. The last time the Lakers had a winning season was in 2012 when they went 8-6 but missed the SUNYAC playoffs. Their last SUNYAC berth came in 2009 when they lost to SUNY Cortland in the semifinals.

With a young and talented roster that already has experience, this season can shape into a turnaround for the program and a critical one for the Bezek era. He liked what he saw in the win over Hartwick College, which shows some potential bright signs in the season ahead.

“One of the best things is the fact we went on runs, and then [Hartwick] went on a couple runs, and we were able to counter that, which is great to see,” Bezek said. “I think a lot of times in the past, we have tons of energy, and with the amount of younger guys, we can get deflated pretty easy and lose a lot of our momentum.”

Last season, Oswego State finished 6-9 overall and 2-4 in SUNYAC. They had five losses by one goal, which included an 11-10 overtime loss to then-No.5 in the country, SUNY Cortland.

“I think we definitely have the ability to [have a winning season],” Bezek said. “We’re obviously a year more mature than what we were a year ago. I think the best thing we’ve done as a group so far is we’ve really competed in practice and really have gotten after it. I think that’s going to help translate for us to be competitive throughout an entire game and hopefully be able to close those games out in the fourth quarter like we weren’t able to do last year.”

On Wednesday, Oswego State took on No. 18 Ithaca College and lost 14-5. Playing the Bombers this early in the season tradition and always a much-needed test for a progressing team.

“I think it’s nice in the fact that it really gives us a gauge of what we need to do and where we need to be as a program from a national standpoint,” Bezek said. “As the years go on, hopefully we get to see this game get more competitive.”

In the loss, the Lakers’ new freshman starting goaltender Kevin O’Donnell did get more of a challenge, but was impressive, notching 21 saves. The Cleveland, Ohio, native also had 11 saves in the team’s win against Hartwick College and could be an important piece to the team all season and for the next four years.

“I love [Oswego State],” O’Donnell said. “I know I made the right decision, especially playing with the team I’m with right now. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Expectations will be higher this season. The freshman O’Donnell sees this team making it to SUNYACs, but Bezek hopes the program can at least keep improving each year.

“Hopefully it’s being able to take steps forward and closing out games like we talked about,” Bezek said. “Continuing to be more competitive with everybody we play and getting better as a program, with all the younger guys we’ve been recruiting and bringing in. And hopefully continuing that into the following years as well and establishing ourselves as a top team in the SUNYACs year in and year out.”

Oswego State men’s lacrosse will look to bounce back from their loss to Ithaca College at noon on Saturday, March 10, when they take on Morrisville State. Their first SUNYAC contest of the season will take place March 31 against The College at Brockport. 

Photo: Haofeng Deng | The Oswegonian