After a mediocre start to nonconference play, the Oswego State field hockey team anticipates a strong start to their SUNYAC schedule.
The Lakers headed into conference play with a record of 2-4, and on a three game losing streak. Then on Wednesday, Sept. 25, the Lakers defeated Morrisville State 6-1. During the losing streak, they managed to score just a single goal in a 2-1 loss to St. Lawrence University. The lack of scoring is something to be worried about, as that was Oswego State’s biggest problem last season, when they averaged a measly 2.06 goals per game. Despite the narrow defeat against St. Lawrence University, coach Heather Moore was satisfied with her team’s play.
“Right now it’s just mentality,” Moore said. “We had the right mentality [against] St. Lawrence, but their goal keeper was really strong. We kept shooting right at her, so I think concentrating on moving the goal keeper and using all of our intensity in the same direction is going to be important.”
Sydney Giacin was in net for the Saints and she was impressive. She has racked up 49 saves on the season so far. She had nine saves in the game against the Lakers, her second most all year.
In Oswego State’s next contest, it was able to dominate in terms of offensive production. The Lakers outshot Morrisville State by 26, landing 24 more on goal. Freshman Annie O’Neill extended her team lead in goals to six total, after netting two against the Mustangs, one of two teams Oswego State beat in 2018.
Last year the Lakers finished fifth in the conference and went just 2-4 in conference play, with their wins coming against The College at Brockport and Morrisville State. However, this is a new team this year, with eight freshmen coming to the roster. This set of rookies is highlighted by O’Neill and goalkeeper Erica Scheblein who has the fifth most saves in the SUNYAC with 38. It is a young team but one with a new look. Out of these eight freshmen, five are forwards and midfielders who were brought in to help with the lack of scoring from last year. The best way to increase scoring is to keep it simple offensively and shoot.
“We all need to want to score,” Mallett said. “Once we get into the circle we need to stop playing with the ball and just shoot. If we all attack at once our offense will be a lot more successful.”
The Lakers have had some scoring problems in previous years and currently, their defense is just average. Despite outscoring their opponents 22-16, they let in an average of 2.29 goals per game which is fifth in the SUNYAC. The conference is home to some elite defenses as the top four teams are letting in well under two goals per game. Like with any great team, communication is key.
“We need to communicate more,” Scheblein said. “We need to use our transitions more [like those] we use in practice. We are hesitating too much and going to the ball too fast, we need to slow it down a little.”
The SUNYAC will be a tough conference this year. The College at Brockport is much improved at 6-2, after finishing sixth in the conference last year. SUNY New Paltz entered the season ranked number one in the SUNYAC preseason poll and has looked strong against several nationally-ranked opponents. SUNY Geneseo is dominant defensively, letting in 1.38 goals per game. The Lakers will definitely have their hands full, but Mallet is ready to begin conference play.
“I am really excited entering conference play,” Mallet said. “I feel like we have a lot of potential, and as a team, I feel like we really are capable of making it far into SUNYACs.”
When you have a young team like this it is not hard to be confident. Junior forward Kathleen Little can sense a difference this season.
“This year I’m feeling the most confident,” Little said. “It’s just that there are a lot of girls who want it this year, and sometimes when you want it more than other teams, it shows on the field.”
Photo by William Rogers | The Oswegonian
