The Oswego State women’s soccer has worked hard to win important games recently. With a record of 5-2-1, the women’s play style and attitude has seemed to only improve ever since they lost 4-1 against Hamilton College on Sept. 13. With SUNYAC play beginning on Sept. 21 against SUNY Brockport, this Oswego team will look to win more games in their conference this season after finishing in eighth place in 2021, and finishing in 10th place in the 2019 season. 

Lakers head coach Brian McGrane won his 100th game after the Lakers defeated Clarkson on Sept. 17. This is a huge milestone and McGrane is looking to continue to build off of his team’s exceptional play. This was a close game and a much needed win for this Lakers team. Clarkson was undefeated heading into the game against Oswego State, however two goals just before the halftime whistle ensured a victory for the Lakers. 

Junior forward, Sara Marinaro, scored the second goal for Oswego after taking the ball from one end of the field to the other and beating multiple defenders with ease before laying it into the back of the net. 

The women’s soccer team came out on top in a tough battle against SUNY Brockport on Sept. 21, with a solid 1-0 win over Brockport at the Laker turf. Junior forward, Luigina Serrao also bagged her third goal of the season with the lone goal against Brockport.

Forward Brianna Winkler has logged three goals so far this season. While she did not score against Clarkson, she had a big impact on the game with her strength up top. As a freshman, she is taking every opportunity that comes her way.

“It’s real nerve-racking, but also super exciting. Getting on the field as a freshman and getting the time and opportunities that I have has been really exciting,” Winkler said. 

Heading into SUNYAC play, the upperclassmen have shown a positive attitude and have been giving underclassmen like Winkler great advice. This is important as this Oswego team has a chance to perform better than they have in previous seasons. Staying connected and having good team chemistry is going to be essential for the success of this team.

“I hear that the SUNYAC games are a lot tougher of a competition,” Winkler said. “All the upperclassmen have been positive and pushing me and they make me feel more confident about playing and I am really excited to play against the harder teams.” Winkler said. 

Sophomore forward Katie Delgrosso, the team leader in goals, is a major contributor to this young Oswego offense. Delgrosso also realizes that the team’s communication and mindset needs to be positive and players who are leaders such as herself need to continue to build players up. 

When asked about how the team has connected and communicated well to pull off the win against Clarkson, Delgrosso said: “It comes from everybody. We do have a lot of depth this year so the freshman incoming and the returners, the communication came from pretty much everybody. Everyone had a positive attitude so I think that is how we were able to pull out a win”. 

With two straight wins, and an important SUNYAC matchup scheduled against Cortland on Sept. 24, this women’s team and coach McGrane are looking to continue their momentum against SUNYAC teams like Cortland. 

“The mindset of these kids is just different, we have a really good team, we work really hard for one another. We don’t really play as if we’re down or up 1-0, we just play as if it’s 0-0 and we can come back. We’ve done it all year, and battled really really well in some good games,” McGrane said. 

According to McGrane, this want-to-win mindset is what is needed for the Lakers to continue their win streak and play well against other SUNY schools. They need to maintain this mindset now that they are switching over to SUNYAC play. 

“The biggest thing for us is going to be competing again,” McGrane said. “Every game will be the same speech in terms of competing and having the right mindset. Brockport is a team we’ve struggled against over the last three years. It’s a team that we are always battling with for one of those four, five, six seeds.” 

Looking ahead to Sept. 24 game vs. Cortland, this Laker team will be battling hard to grab another win in SUNYAC play.  

Photo via Jim Gemza