Photo by Dori Gronich

OSWEGO, N.Y. – The Oswego State men's soccer opened its season and tournament with a 2-1 comeback win over SUNY Poly on Friday afternoon at Laker Turf Stadium. Oswego's victory puts the team at 1-0 on the year with a 3:30 p.m. matchup with Norwich University looming on Saturday. The Cadets lost a tight 1-0 battle with New Paltz in Friday's second game of the Oswego State Classic.
 
SUNY Poly jumped out to a 1-0 lead at 18:44, but a late first-half goal for the Lakers would knot the contest again. Freshman Zack Koons – who subbed into the game at 27:11 – notched his first-career goal in rebound fashion. Sophomore Thomas Osborne dribbled into the middle of the box and ripped a shot to the goalie's right, which the keeper deflected but was unable to corral. Koons was waiting in the wings, settling the ball on his foot and drilling a shot into the back of the net, just inside the near post. Osborne was credited with an assist on the tally.
 
The eventual game-winner came after the halftime break from two of Oswego's key components. When the Lakers earned a free kick, senior captain Mitch Brickman found reigning SUNYAC Rookie of the Year and Oswego's top scorer from a year ago, Bernard Osei. Osei showed no signs of a sophomore slump, beating the Wildcats' keeper to put Oswego on top 2-1 at 49:21, a lead the Lakers would never relinquish.
 
Oswego outshot SUNY Poly 18-6 on the day and had one more corner-kick opportunity (6-5). Laker keeper Jon Runge made one stop between the pipes for the home squad.