Lakers win first game against Elmira University, starts season only allowing one goal over first four games of the season.

The Oswego Lakers’ performance this season has been exceptional this season thanks to their defensive prowess. In the first four games of the season, they showcased an impressive display by conceding only one goal in total.

The Lakers started their season with an encounter against the Skidmore Thoroughbred. This match marked the first-ever faceoff between these two teams, and it was a goalkeeper battle. Sophomore Lakers goalie Andre Bourjolly emerged as the standout performer, exhibiting exceptional skill by thwarting all six shots on goal throughout the game. However, Elmira’s keeper, Johnathan Phytrion, was equally skilled, making saves on all five shots on goal sent by the Lakers. The game ultimately concluded in a 0-0 draw.

In their next match, the Lakers faced a tougher challenge against the Hamilton College Continentals, who were playing their first game of the season. The game kicked off at a quick pace, with the Oswego defense momentarily wavering, leading to Hamilton’s Luke Peplowski seizing an opportunity and slotting a goal, putting the Continentals in the lead. However, the Lakers swiftly regrouped, and their defense fortified, thwarting numerous subsequent scoring attempts leading up to halftime. As the second half commenced, the Lakers were determined to find the net, and that determination paid off. 

At the 52 minute mark, sophomore Jason Wuytack scored the first goal of the season tying the game. From there, the match once again transformed into a defensive showdown. The Lakers stopped an impressive total of 13 corner kicks, with Bourjolly having three crucial saves. The game concluded in another hard-fought draw, with the scoreline reading 1-1.

Oswego’s third game of the season coincided with their Senior Night, a special occasion marked by a face-off against St. John Fisher University (SJFU). The match unfolded as another tense defensive battle, with both teams engaged in a back-and-forth struggle, showing little inclination towards a full-blown push for goal for most of the game. Impressively, both Oswego and SJFU managed to register nine shots on goal apiece. Notably, SJFU’s offensive efforts were met with staunch resistance from Oswego’s senior goalkeeper, Finnian Costello, who was making his debut start for the Lakers. Costello made crucial saves, effectively thwarting two out of the three shots on goal that SJFU managed to get. On the flip side, Oswego’s offensive endeavors held promise, as they mustered six shots on goal. However, these attempts were met with a standout performance by SJFU’s goalkeeper, Jadon Schlierf, who demonstrated remarkable skill in deflecting all six shots. In the closing stages of the game, the Lakers made valiant efforts to break through, with multiple late-game pushes that seemed promising. Unfortunately, they were unable to convert any of these opportunities into goals. The game concluded in yet another 0-0 draw. 

After three hard-fought draws, the Lakers approached their next match against the Elmira Soaring Eagles with a renewed sense of determination this past Wednesday. Their goal was clear: secure their first victory of the season. And secure it they did. The opening half mirrored the intensity of their previous encounters, with both teams engaging in a competitive exchange, yet struggling to mount any substantial offensive threats. As the second half kicked off, the scoreline remained locked at 0-0. However, just five minutes into the second half, Jason Wuytack, showing his scoring prowess once again, netted his second goal of the season, courtesy of a skillful assist from senior Kyle Gehnrich. But the Lakers weren’t done there. A mere nine minutes later, graduate student Kieran Gilroy found the back of the net, again benefiting from Gehnrich’s playmaking abilities as he got his second assist of the night. 

With this lead, the Lakers reverted to their trademark top-notch defense. They put up an impenetrable barrier, denying the Eagles any significant chances on goal. In fact, the Eagles managed only two shots on target, both of which were expertly dealt with by Bourjolly. The game ended in a 2-0 nothing win for the Lakers and their first of the season. 

The Lakers currently stand at 1-0-3, and they’re gearing up for their final pair of out-of-conference matchups before diving into conference play. First on the docket is a clash on Sept. 16 in Troy against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, followed by a return to their home turf to face Nazareth on Sept. 20. Once these fixtures conclude, it’s all about conference play moving forward. The Lakers are primed and more prepared than ever to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.

Photo via: Oswego Athletics