After a rough end to the 2017 SUNYAC schedule, the Oswego State men’s soccer team is working to avoid that result for the 2018 season.

Last season, the Lakers ended the SUNYAC with a 1-8 conference record, only winning the first game against SUNY New Paltz.

“We started the year off pretty hot in non-conference, so coming into SUNYACs, we kind of underestimated a lot of teams,” said Thomas Osborn, senior defender and captain of the Oswego state men’s soccer team. “So, this year, we know what we’re up against. We have a lot of returning players, a lot of strong seniors, and I think that leadership is going to be huge.”

The Lakers started off non-conference play in 2017 with a record of 5-1 before going into the SUNYAC conference.

Oswego State men’s soccer head coach Dan Kane said he was not prepared for the depth of the SUNYAC and how much depth the team needs to be successful.

“We’ve tried to develop that [depth] in this non-conference season by playing more guys than we’re accustomed to,” Kane said. “I think guys have responded well. We’re really looking forward to these Friday, Saturday games.”

Sophomore goaltender Brian Terra said that his improvements lie with his voice on the field.

“[I am] just being more of a leader on the field and communicating more with my teammates and just being more of a voice out there,” Terra said.

After starting three games with the Lakers and playing in a total of 10 games in his freshman year, Terra has now started every game this season. Terra said the pressure from last season is even less this season.

“There’s not much more pressure than last year, maybe even a little less coming in as a sophomore now,” Terra said. “Nothing [has] really changed, just my work ethic, and my confidence went up a lot.”

With the last remaining eight games of the SUNYAC, it is important for every player to be ready for the demanding games.

“It’s just getting those young guys used to what SUNYACs are,” Osborn said. “It’s a grind, it’s a tough season, and you just kind of have to push through it.”

With 10 freshmen on the team this season, they become a valuable asset come game time and in the SUNYACs.

“I think the freshmen are a huge part of the team. A lot of them get a lot of playing time,” Osborn said. “It’s going to be huge having those extra legs coming in and just trying to run teams into the ground.”

Behind the freshmen and returning players are the coaches. Not only has Kane improved himself and his team from last season, but the assistant coaches have been significant in the process as well.

“They’re all doing a little bit of different stuff like Scott [Brown, Oswego state men’s soccer assistant coach,] tonight is recruiting high school games,” Kane said. “Charlie [Naula-Calle, Oswego state men’s soccer assistant coach, is] really good at paying attention to the guys’ body and seeing how they’re responding to hard sessions or light sessions and kind of knowing what they need for the next day.”

The Lakers’ first SUNYAC game was against SUNY Cortland, a nationally ranked team, and ended with a 4-0 loss for Oswego State.

“It was almost a good wake-up call for us. You take a loss like that, and you really put things into perspective,” Osborn said. “Like, ‘Wow this is a conference where you’re going to have to grind,’ so I think we’re taking it as a good stepping stone.”

For the seniors who will be graduating this year, it will be their last chance to be successful in the SUNYAC conference. For Osborn, it has been his goal since freshman year to make the playoffs.

“I think if we stay together and have just some good outings, I think for sure we can make playoffs, and maybe we can get a run in it,” Osborn said.

Graphic by Shea McCarthy | The Oswegonian