OSWEGO, N.Y. – Oswego Field Hockey hosted the Keuka College Wolves in their 2024 home opener. The Lakers came out firing this afternoon setting the tone early. Both teams would trade fouls and possession throughout the first quarter, but Oswego notched the first goal just 8 minutes into play. A consistent effort at both ends of the field awarded Oswego a steady 4-0 lead at halftime. A late offensive surge by the Wolves would erase the Lakers shutout but did not stop them from scoring. Notching 3 more goals in the 3rd and 4th quarters, securing a 7-1 lead over Keuka on home turf. A huge shoutout out to sophomore midfielder Meg Kuebler for scoring her first career goal in today's match.  

THE BASICS 
 
Final Score:  

Oswego 7 (2-3, 0-0 SUNYAC),  

Keuka College 1 (1-4, 1-0 Empire 8) 

 
Location: Laker Turf Stadium | Oswego, N.Y.  

 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

A strong starting center pass would give the Lakers the first offensive possession of the game. A prime tipping opportunity generated by a nice midfield drive would unfortunately be missed and turned over. Sending Keuka down the field on their first offensive run. Two quick penalty corners would be drawn by the Wolves, but they would capitalize on neither. As the first quarter got underway, play developed into a back-and-forth battle in neutral territory, until Makayla Caldwell made her way into Keuka's defensive end. An elusive fake to the middle from Caldwell would give her space and time to find teammate Bryleigh Beauchat who would take the ball into the Wolves' striking circle. A quick drive from Beauchat at the top of the sixteen would earn Oswego their first point of the game 7:41. A few minutes later, a well-placed drive by Alexa Snyder would award senior Kate McNally a one-timer goal at 12:45, extending Oswego's lead to 2-0.  

The second quarter would open with another good offensive transition by the Lakers. They would earn two back-to-back penalty corners, but both attempts would unfortunately miss the mark. A hefty return by the Keuka defense would skip over the sticks of the midfield, giving the Wolves a breakaway odd man rush. A huge save by first-year goaltender Sam Krautheim would shut down the offensive run and return the ball to Oswego's possession. As the clock ticked down, both teams would take turns at both ends of the field but play remained neutral. A few passing plays by the Lakers seemed to be promising, but the 2-0 would persist heading into halftime.  

Despite starting with the ball, Keuka quickly found themselves on defense. Oswego wasted no time entering the Wolves' circle and getting shots on goalkeeper Jordan Nichols. A persistent effort in front of Keuka's net generated multiple quality scoring chances for the Lakers but none would breakthrough. Until Brylie Beauchat managed to put one through the legs of Nichols at 31:36, extending Oswego's lead to 3-0. The Lakers maintained offensive possession in the following minutes, giving sophomore Meg Kuebler her first career goal at 41:33. As the clock ticked down the scoreboard would remain in Oswego's favor, closing out the third quarter with a 4-goal lead over the Wolves.  

For the first 5-minutes of the final quarter, Keuka would put the Lakers back on defense, but Oswego would not falter, notching a fifth goal on their first offensive transition of the quarter. A solid clear by the Wolves' defensive unit would send Keuka down the field on an odd man rush, on which Kirstin Billings would sneak one through the legs of other first year goalie Mia Foer at 52:39, improving the score 5-1. Despite losing a shutout, the Lakers were not finished. Returning a sixth goal, scored by Rhyanne Johnson, a minute and a half later. A final offensive surge would allow Makayla Caldwell to secure a 7th and final goal, for a 7-1 win over the Wolves on home turf.  

WHAT'S NEXT 

Oswego Field Hockey will return to the pitch this Saturday, September 21st at 11:30 AM in Laker Turf Stadium, where they face off against the University of Rochester Yellowjackets in a non-conference matchup.   

Written By: Matilda Pethrick 

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