OSWEGO, N.Y. – Oswego Women's Lacrosse hosted the Utica Pioneers this afternoon at Laker Stadium with plans to regain their rhythm after a tough loss to Clarkson on the road on Tuesday. The Lakers would open the game scoring two unanswered goals, but an offensive surge in the latter half of the first quarter, from a connected Utica squad, made it hard for Oswego to come back. Despite a valiant effort throughout the game, the Lakers would unfortunately fall 19-12 to the Pioneers at home.  

 
THE BASICS 
 
Final Score: Oswego 12 (1-2, 0-0 SUNYAC), Utica 19 (1-2, 0-0 Empire 8) 
Location: Laker Turf Stadium | Oswego, N.Y. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

The opening draw of the game would fall in favor of the Pioneers, giving them the first shooting opportunity on net. A shot off the right post would be recovered by the Lakers and quickly transitioned, up the field, into Utica's defensive end. Junior Isabella Lembo would be the first to add to the scoreboard with a goal at 14:00. Utica would control the following draw, but Senior midfielder Sela Wiley would respond quickly, forcing a turnover allowing the Lakers to regain possession. A successful clear attempt would send Wiley and Lembo on offense. Lembo would secure the second goal just a minute and a half later at 12:39. A defensive miscommunication between midfielder Cassidy Croce and netminder Sarah Kamide would result in a goal, awarding the Pioneers their 6th point. In the following minutes, Utica would find their offensive rhythm, gaining a five-goal lead heading into the final 3 minutes of the first quarter. Utica attackman Grace Stuhlman would close out the quarter with another goal for the Pioneers, raising the scoreline to 8-2.  

Like the first, the second quarter draw would be controlled by Utica, but turned over once again by Wiley. A quick offensive transition from the Lakers would allow them to create a scoring chance, which would be stopped by Pioneer goaltender Makayla Purdy. Oswego settled in on defense but struggled to maintain offensive possession against a connected Utica squad. A yellow card at 8:25 would give the Lakers a man-up advantage which would result in a goal by Sophia Ruschin at 7:30, improving the scoreboard to 10-3. Despite trailing by a few goals, Oswego did not let up on groundballs or defense. Multiple fouls on Utica defenders in the final five minutes of the quarter, would award Isabella Lembo a free position shot, on which she secured the Lakers' fourth goal at 3:45. For the rest of the second, both teams would trade offensive zone time and goals, closing out the half 13-6 in favor of the Pioneers.  

Just as the rainy weather did not let up, neither did Utica, scoring their 14th goal off the draw at 14:22. Without hesitation, the Lakers responded with a draw control and strong shot on net which hit the lower right post. Utica would recover the rebound but would find themselves back on defense in the following minute. Junior Madison Davis would finish on a feed from Sela Wiley after being taken down by a Utica defender, pushing the score to 14-7 at the 11:07 mark. A successful draw by Ruschin would allow the Lakers to set up on offense, giving Wiley multiple quality shooting opportunities. The score would remain unphased for almost 5 minutes, until the Pioneers found the back of the net at 6:45. As the time ticked down, both teams would once again take turns scoring, extending the scoreline to 18-9 at the end of the third quarter. 

Another yellow card in the opening minutes of the final quarter, would give Oswego yet another man-up advantage which Sela Wiley used to knotch her 4th point of the game at 12:36. Following the Lakers' tenth goal, the Pioneers made an offensive surge but struggled to get their shots on net. At the 9:03 mark, Isabella Lembo snuck one by the leg of Purdy on a nifty crease-roll. Just less than two minutes later, Wiley would close out scoring with Oswego's 12th goal at 7:16. A consistent, hard-fought effort from both teams would leave the scoreboard remaining at 19-12 for the rest of the fourth.   

WHAT'S NEXT 

The Lakers will return to action on home turf this Tuesday, March 5th at 4:00 pm when they face the SUNY Canton Kangaroos.   

Written By: Matilda Pethrick 

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