OSWEGO, N.Y. – After opening the 2012 season with a 4-0 win, the Oswego State men's soccer team (1-7-0, 0-2-0 SUNYAC) hasn't tasted victory in its last seven contests. This weekend, with some alumni members in attendance, the Lakers look to turn their season around. Saturday's game against Plattsburgh is the Oswego State Game of the Week.

The Lakers kicked off their State University of New York Athletic Conference schedule last weekend with one-goal losses at the hands of Oneonta and New Paltz. In fact, Oswego State has suffered five-one goal losses in eight games. The Lakers suffered seven similar defeats in 2011.

On Friday, Oswego State takes the field against Potsdam, another conference foe. However, it's Saturday's opponent, Plattsburgh, which seems to bring the best out of the Lakers.

The Cardinals are a huge rival for Oswego State in men's ice hockey, but it's head coach Bob Friske's playing days which always make this an interesting game for both squads. Friske was a four-year defender for the Cardinals from 1988 to 1991.
While at Plattsburgh, Friske played under current head coach Chris Waterbury and also held an assistant coaching position with the Cardinals. His knowledge of the Plattsburgh system has helped the Lakers to a 3-0-1 record against the Cardinals in the past four seasons.

Junior midfielder Ryan Tibbetts (Liverpool, N.Y.) knows what Friske brings to the table coming into this game.

“He knows the team better than anyone else and it's only going to benefit us because he knows the ins and outs of the team,” Tibbetts said.

In 2011, the Lakers played the Cardinals to a 1-1 draw. In the three previous years, Oswego State defeated Plattsburgh 2-1, with two of the victories coming in overtime. Tibbetts was the hero in the 2010 game, netting the game-winning overtime goal to defeat the favored Cardinals.

“It was an unbelievable goal,” Tibbetts said. “I was a freshman and we were playing against our rival school. I was on cloud nine. I had a blackout feeling and I saw my team and the fans rush the field.”

In 2012, the Cardinals are 9-0-0 overall and 2-0-0 in conference play, making them a heavy favorite against Oswego State. The Cardinals are surely bitter about their last four winless games against the Lakers, which should make for an extremely competitive contest.

Thus far this season, the Lakers have been plagued by slow first halves. In the first stanza, Oswego State has been outscored 7-2. In the second half, the Lakers are even with their opponents at six goals apiece.

On the other hand, Plattsburgh has a habit of jumping ahead early. The Cardinals have outscored their opponents 15-1 in the opening half, with an astounding 131-29 edge in shots.

On Saturday, Tibbetts says the Lakers will be continuing to improve as a squad.

“We're going to come out more as a team,” Tibbetts said. “I think this is the best team we've had since I've been at Oswego State. I know our record doesn't show it, but we're young and still getting experience. This season is only going to help us grow as a team.”

If the Lakers win both games this weekend, their early season troubles will quickly fade from their minds. Tibbetts says this weekend is as important as any during the 2012 season.

“We had some sad losses last weekend,” Tibbetts said. “In order for us to make the playoffs this year, we really need to out and get some points this weekend.”