As the Oswego State Men’s Soccer team eyes down the #6 seed in the SUNYAC, they have one of the toughest tasks of the year right before them: SUNY Oneonta, on the road and in the SUNYAC Tournament.

The Lakers and the Red Dragons have a deeply rooted history of games dating back to 1960 when Oswego State won their first ever matchup 5-3 on the road. The next five after that, the Lakers accumulated four more wins moving to 5-1 in the first six games from 1960-1965. Ever since, Oswego State has been winless. 

But all that can change Saturday afternoon when the Lakers meet the Red Dragons in Oneonta for the first round of the SUNYAC Tournament, a setting the Lakers have become familiar with under the coaching prowess of Dan Kane. The first back-to-back stints in the dance since the 2008 and 2009 season where they played two nail biters against SUNY Brockport and SUNY Geneseo that sent the Lakers packing.

The last time Oswego State and SUNY Oneonta stepped in the ring together in a playoff format was the ECAC playoffs in 2006. For context most of the players on today’s team were between four and eight years old which means neither team has seen each other in a high pressure, win or go home situation. 

For those that do not know, the Red Dragons were a Division 1 soccer program from 1989-2006 so when they re-entered the SUNYAC conference, their level of player was much higher than virtually every other team. And since their return, six of the last 13 SUNYAC championships have come back to Oneonta, New York making them the best team in the conference since the turn of the century. 

But how could an Oswego team with a lackluster history who have not won a SUNYAC in 55 years have a chance to win this year? 

The Laker’s goals per game is up from 1.00 to 1.40 in the last two seasons, they have put up almost three more shots per game in that span (10.9 to 13.5) and the star studded defense of this team has let up two fewer shots per game. Now those numbers may not seem too gaudy, but check these out.

SUNY Brockport has possession of the third best shot on goal percentage (.519) in the SUNYAC. SUNY Brockport is home to the third highest point scorer in the SUNYAC, Matthew Stefaniw, who also ranks in the top three in points and shots. Despite his three shots and two of which being on goal against Oswego State in early October, the Lakers were able to keep Stefaniw off the board and secure a victory. Not to mention this SUNY Brockport team defeated SUNY Cortland 3-2 in the Dragons’ Den this season, making that their only home loss of the year. Oswego State took down the Golden Eagles 1-0 in double overtime at home.

Plattsburgh State was 4-3-1 overall at home this season and is always a hostile environment when the away team steps on the field.  Playing on the road against Plattsburgh State is already a difficult task, but to do it facing a team that has been in the top four in shots, shots per game, shots on goal and shots on goal percentage and still come out with a point is not something one can overlook. The Lakers and Cardinals tied 1-1 taking one of the four points earned during this year’s north country trip.

The SUNYAC leader in goals is Buffalo State with 43 this season.  Their SUNYAC leading scorer and most likely Offensive Player of the Year, Theo Pencic, had one measly contribution as a second assist and only had two shots over the course of the entire game — none of which were on goal. Pencic ended the regular season finishing first in goals, assists, points and shots yet still was not able to be a difference maker against the Lakers. Oswego State beat the Bengals on the road 5-2, in a game where both the offense and defense for the Lakers outplayed and outwilled the home side.

Even in their game against SUNY Oneonta this past Saturday was not that far off from a different result. In the Lakers’ 0-2 loss, the Red Dragons had 16 shots and three on goal. Oswego State had 14 shots and three on goal. The first goal of Saturday’s game came from an errand pass that ended up in an unassisted goal in the 16th minute of the game. After taking a 2-0 lead in the first half, Oneonta began to slip as possession went the way of the Lakers. The Red Dragons were outshot 9-3 in the second half and were out disciplined on the defensive end, committing four more fouls than Oswego State, highlighting that the Lakers had some life and will certainly fight until the bitter end on any battle ground.

In 2018, the Lakers were outshot 13 to 5 (4-1 on goal) in the 1-0 loss on the road and in 2019 the Lakers were outshot 21 to 6 (7-2 on goal) in the 2-1, double overtime loss at home where the SUNYAC player of the year and First-Team All American, Witman Hernandez, scored a desperate game-winner in the 104th minute, barely edging out the Lakers. There are signs of life and improvement in the last three seasons against SUNY Oneonta heading into Saturday.

As fun as analytics and stats are and as good of a story they may tell, nothing compares to the heart this team has played with for this entire season. No task has been too tall and no game has been too difficult for the Lakers which shines a glimmer of hope on their chances tomorrow afternoon. Who knows? Every streak is bound to come to an end at some point, right?

Oswego State will face their familiar foe in the SUNYAC Quarterfinal Championship tomorrow at one o’clock. In light of last weekend’s battle, Oswego State is looking to play upset when they reach SUNY Oneonta.

Photos provided by  William Rogers | The Oswegonian