Pregame:

• The Oswego State women’s soccer team kicks off their 2022 campaign tonight in an exhibition match against the St. John Fisher University Cardinals.
• The Lakers finished last season with an overall record of 5-9 and a SUNYAC record of 2-7. The squad brings back 12 players including 4 graduate students (Graisa Madden, Sara Marinaro, Maggie Riordan, Olivia Williams).
• Head Coach McGrane returns for his 16th season as the bench boss for Oswego State. The coach was able to recruit 10 new players to join the recruiting class, all members of the Class of 2026.
• St. John Fisher University, a member of the Empire 8 Conference, enters this season after a 10-6-1 campaign last fall.
• Note: 3 Periods today instead of 2 halves.

First Period:

• St. John Fisher with the first chance this evening after an opportunity off a corner kick. Lakers goaltender Haley Muehl was able to find the ball after the service and gain procession to stop the attack.
• The Lakers had a few opportunities off a couple corner kicks towards the 10-minute mark of the contest.
• St. John Fisher has been able to win a few key 50/50 chances off throw ins or goal kicks to maintain procession. Oswego State has been able to hold up to the offensive pressure in the defensive third.
• Oswego State was able to put a shot past the Cardinals goaltender on an Indirect Free Kick around the 9-minute mark. That would be called back due to the lack of contact from a second player after the kick.
• The Lakers have been able to defend a lot of St. John Fisher counter attacks. The Cardinals would have another chance from the top of the 18’ box but that ball would sail wide left.  
• A few last-minute chances off corner kicks for the Cardinals. The Lakers defense was able to push those away as time expired.

Second Period:

• The Lakers made a tic-tac-toe play at the top of the 18’ box for a 1on1 opportunity with the Fisher netminder. A glove save from the goaltender pushes the ball out of play for a corner.
• Oswego State has been able to get plenty of opportunities in the offensive third. None have been on frame in this stanza. Fisher has not tested the Lakers goaltender yet as the teams find the halfway mark of the contest.
• St. John Fisher is getting some opportunities in their offensive third later in the 2nd stanza.
• The Lakers have started to control the pace of play with their possession play. The squad is starting to stretch the defensive core of the Cardinals.
• Oswego State continues to keep the Cardinals at bay. No corners conceded in the 2nd period as the defensive core holds strong.

Third Period:

• St. John Fisher looking to hold possession early to start the final stanza.
• Another counterattack developing for St. John Fisher but a solid stop for the defensive backs of Oswego State.
• More pressure from the Cardinals as another distant shot from the away squad goes off target.
• Yellow card for an Oswego State player after a hard foul closer to the midfield line. A clear from the Lakers defense from the free kick keeps this game 0-0.
• Possession from St. John Fisher for a majority of this stanza but no real grade A opportunities getting pass that Oswego State backend.
• Direct Free Kick chance for St. John Fisher in the final 6 minutes goes on net but was an easy save for the Lakers goaltender.
• More stops for the Oswego State back end in the final minutes. Oswego State has lacked the offensive pressure this period but has been able to hold the St. John Fisher attacks.

Post-game:

• The Lakers and Cardinals tie this contest and the score is 0-0 at the end of regulation. Oswego State walks away with a 0-0-1 record to kick off their preseason campaign.
• Total Shots: OSW (6) / SJFU (7)
• Corners: OSW(6) / SJFU (5)

A Look Ahead:

• Oswego State will take a few days off to practice before looking ahead to their next exhibition contest. Another Empire 8 team travels into town to faceoff at Laker Turf Stadium as Nazareth College eyes up the Lakers.
• Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. from Laker Turf Stadium.

Photo By Alexis Fragapane | @shotsbyfrags