After a rough end to the 2017 season, the Oswego State men’s soccer team is looking, simply put, to get better and make it to the SUNYAC.

“I made a lot of mistakes last year,” Oswego State men’s soccer head coach Dan Kane said. “[I] had the opportunity to grow from them.”

Although the Lakers started their 2017 season strong, winning its first game 5-0, the season took a drastic turn once they got to SUNYAC play.

The season ended with an overall record of 6-9-1 and an eight-game losing streak.

“Last season was our first year with a new coach, which took some adjusting,” senior midfielder R.J. Nichol said. “We didn’t have that this year, which is beneficial.”

Kane, who is starting his second season with the Lakers, is starting to mesh with the team, in order to create their own playing style.

Kane brought in nine freshmen and one college transfer from Monroe Community College. When looking for new recruits, Kane was looking for players who were well-rounded in academics and athletics.

This was the first true recruiting season for the Lakers, Kane said. But, a large part of the team is returning players, nine of them being seniors.

“Their experience is really going to help our young group understand the needs and demands of the league,” Kane said. “Our eyes are focused on preparing for the SUNYAC.”

Last season, the Lakers won only one of their nine SUNYAC games.

“I think we’ve had a pretty tough show in the past couple of years,” senior captain defense Thomas Osborn said. “We’re looking to turn that around, just focus on one thing at a time.”

Osborn said he would like to focus on making the playoffs first and winning those games.

“[I have] getting in the playoffs as my main goal,” Nichol said. “As a team since I haven’t reached that yet since I’ve been here and it’s my last chance.”

The team as a whole all has one thing in common: making it to the SUNYACs.

“Personally, I just want to win,” sophomore goalkeeper Brian Terra said. “Just want to do in SUNYAC conference.”

Terra played in 10 games last season and started in three. Terra has been the starting player for the last two games for the Lakers.

“It allows me to have more confidence in myself, knowing that the coaching staff and my teammates trust me,” Terra said.

With so many returning players, it brings back a strong core to the team. But after this season, nine seniors will be leaving, creating a hole in the roster.

“We need our freshmen to be good right now,” Kane said. “I think that’s probably abnormal for most SUNYAC programs. Usually, you win with juniors and seniors.”

From the recruits, Kane has freshmen who can contribute to the team on a skill and physicality standpoint He also needs them to focus on their nutrition on academics to be successful.

Nichol said he has seen the most talent on this year’s team than any other year he has been playing for Oswego State.

So far this season, the Lakers have one win and one loss.

The team’s first game against Morrisville State went into double overtime leading to a final score of 2-1. Oswego State’s game-winning goal came from Osborn.

In its last game against Hamilton College, Oswego State fell 2-0.

Oswego State’s next game will be Sept. 7 against SUNY Cobleskill in Utica.

Photo by Austin Dearborn | The Oswegonian