With only one game remaining in their 2022 campaign, Oswego State women’s soccer sits in fifth place in the SUNYAC standings with 11 points. After splitting their previous two games, the Lakers’ record is currently 8-5-3 with a conference record of 3-3-2.
The Lakers hosted the 3-9-1 SUNY Oneonta Red Dragons on Oct. 15. The entire game was a defensive battle as each team had minimal chances to score. The best chance for the Lakers came at the 13th-minute mark as senior Emily Applegate, junior Luigiana Serrao and freshman Amber McDermott would have three consecutive shots, but two would be blocked by the Red Dragons’ defense. A few minutes later SUNY Oneonta would get their first chance of the game but Laker’s sophomore goalie Perri Anderson would come up with the save.
The second half was similar to the first half as both offenses were stagnant. McDermott would get another chance in the 82nd-minute with the score tied at zero but would send the shot high over the net. The Red Dragons would break the tie score at the 85th-minute mark off the cleat of junior Gianna Gritzmacher, assisted by Tara Nicholson. This would be the only score of the game giving SUNY Oneonta a 1-0 win in a defensive battle. Despite the loss, Coach Brian McGrane had positive thoughts on the game.
“I thought we had good possession even though we gave up one late which was a tough pill to swallow,” McGrane said. “I thought the girls played well but in soccer, you can dominate and still tie or lose.”
After the loss to the Red Dragons, the Lakers went on the road to face SUNY Fredonia. Moments after a McDermott yellow card the Blue Devils netted the first goal of the game at the 10th-minute mark from Talia Defay assisted by Brianna Grazen. After a save and goal kick by Anderson the Lakers were able to gain offensive control and score the tying goal from freshman Brianna Winkler, assisted by Emma Rechtorovic. This would be Winkler’s team-leading fifth goal of the season. In the second half, the Lakers would record the only shot on goal which would end up being the deciding factor as Serrao put the ball past SUNY Fredonia goalie Dani Rubino. Serrao would finish with three total shots and Rechtorovic would pick up her second assist of the game.
This win moves the Lakers into a playoff spot as they sit one point ahead of SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Brockport and two points behind Plattsburgh State. The Lakers have played well from a statistics standpoint as they have outscored opponents 28-15, outshot opponents 231-169 and have had 36 more penalty corners than their opponents. McGrane will look for his key players, Winkler, Katie Delgrosso, Serrao and Anderson to help the Lakers in their last game of the season against SUNY New Paltz at 1 p.m., Oct. 22 on the road. A win will clinch a playoff berth for the Lakers.
