The Oswego State women’s soccer team is performing well at a record of 4-2. 

 Coach Brian McGrane has been the Oswego women’s soccer team head coach since 2007.  McGrane already this season has a positive outlook on the season and believes at the end of the season that his team has a chance at making their first SUNYAC appearance since 2016.  

“We have great team chemistry, “McGrane said.  “And we have some good, really talented young players, so I think that they are making a big impact.  The chemistry on the team is a big factor on why we were successful in 2016, so it’s the same types of things out of this team.”   

Throughout his years of coaching, McGrane attributes his fellow coaches and upperclassmen players as a large reason the team is meshing so well every season.

“Staff is a big part of it,” McGrane said. “Staff come and go, so I think having staff that’s been here for three, four, five years I think has been a plus. I think the leadership within the players has been a big thing as well. If team chemistry is bad, then it is going to be a tough season. With our team chemistry especially this season with our staff being really good.” 

McGrane is very excited to go through the rest of the season especially after not having   last year.   

“Relatively we did not do anything for a whole year, I think that the attitude and mentality of the younger players has been strong so far,” McGrane said.  “We realistically have two freshman classes, our actual freshman and then our sophomores.  Their ability to come in and make an immediate impact has been great.” 

Even though McGrane has been impressed with this season so far, he believes his team has a lot of improving to do.

“One area we can improve on is just in the attacking third,” McGrane said. “We have scored goals, but I think we can be a little bit more efficient in scoring goals.”

Throughout the beginning of the season so far, McGrane has been very surprised about how well his team has been keeping opponents away from their goal.  

“One area that I think we have done really well in is our team defending,” McGrane said.  “We have a lot of young players in all those positions.  I think we have done a very nice job of keeping teams at bay and defending as a team.”

Senior forward Liz Myers is one player that McGrane has been impressed with in their four victories this season. Overcoming injury being a strong factor in that. 

“She had a great sophomore year that was cut short due to an ACL injury,” McGrane said. “For her to be a year removed from soccer and then an extra year with an ACL, I think she has been an unbelievable leader and her play on the field speaks for itself.”

Another player McGrane has been proud of is senior Grasia Madden, who had a goal in Tuesday’s win over Keuka College. 

“She has been awesome for us so far,” McGrane said.  “Both Madden and Myers as our captains have been really good.”

Madden has been on the women’s soccer team for four years, and she is fond of one of her favorite moments while being on the team.

“One of my favorite moments while on this team was last weekend when we beat Potsdam in overtime,” Madden said.  “It was just really exciting because it was such a hard-fought game and then coming through with the win at the end was really exciting, and starting off SUNYAC play. 

After her Oswego State playing days are done, Madden aspires to attain an MBA degree along with continuing her love of soccer.

“It’s going to be sad to leave,” Madden said. “After this I am hoping to either stay and do my MBA and then play another season or I might go right into the workforce and go into business.  I will probably keep playing on my own time after my final season is over because I love it so much.” 

Meanwhile, freshman Emma Rechtorovic is a newcomer on this team, and she has already noticed the difference between her high school compared to her college team.

“I think really the only big difference that I see is that it is just a new group of girls,” Rechtorovic said. “Everyone on my high school team had played together since elementary school but otherwise, it’s not much of a difference.” 

Rechtorovic hopes that by the end of her first season on the team she can maintain a strong mentality as a young player. 

“I want to start playing with more confidence,” Rechtorovic said. “I am a freshman on the team, so I am nervous, so I want to be more confident.”

The Oswego women’s soccer team is looking to continue their winning ways this season. With a lot of build up for the Lakers return to the field, they hold a solid record along with a good core of young players. The team will host Buffalo State on Oct. 1 and SUNY Fredonia on Oct. 2. 

William Rogers | The Oswegonian