Oswego, N.Y. – Oswego Men's Soccer returned to Laker Turf Stadium this evening to continue their SUNYAC campaign against the SUNY Potsdam Bears. Determined to move-up in standings, the Lakers came out looking to generate some offense and collect a SUNYAC win, Oswego would start the match on a forward foot, but Potsdam would be the first to find the back of the net. Unphased, the Lakers garnered an equalizer just 5 minutes later and a second goal to put them in the lead heading into halftime. An action-packed second half would open with another goal scored by Ian Husselback and end in a 5-2 victory over the SUNY Potsdam Bears. 

The Basics
 
Final Score:  

Oswego 5 (3-5-5, 2-2-2 SUNYAC)  

Potsdam 2 (4-8-1, 0-6 SUNYAC) 

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

How it Happened

Oswego would start on a forward foot off the center pass, but the Bears were quick to settle in on defense. A quick shot by striker Tajay Ellis would be deflected and awarded back to the Lakers for a corner kick. Potsdam's net minder James Kelm would reject any header opportunities with a jumping save. The Bears' first turn on offense would not generate anything of quality, but a miscommunication between Oswego's defensemen in the following minutes allowed Potsdam forward, Logan Bush, to notch the first goal of the match just 10:10 into the first half. Unphased, the Lakers regained offensive positioning on the next possession. Another low shot by Ellis would be rebounded off the feet of Kelm and kept in the box by Ian Husselback who would net an equalizer at the 15:36 mark. Now 1-1, Husselback's goal unleashed Oswego on offense, dominating the latter half. An unsuccessful goal kick would be turned back by the other Husselback brother, Kieran, and finished by Tajay Ellis, giving the Lakers a 2-1 lead at 25:30. Potsdam worked hard to regain a tie, but Oswego managed to match their physical energy and maintain their lead heading into halftime.  

The intermission would give Potsdam some time to recover and readjust their defensive formation, overloading their box against the Lakers as play resumed. This change still would be no match for a fiery Laker offense, with Ian Husselback collecting his second of the game and extending Oswego's led to 3-1. The Lakers would earn a series of corner kicks in the following minutes, but the Bears would stay vigilant, shutting down any header or tipping attempts. As the beginning minutes continued to unfold, Oswego began to use their bench depth, awarding their starters some rest. This would pay off as Edis Omerovic would add a 4th goal to the scoreline at the 70:49 mark. The Bears would find some offensive momentum on the next possession, earning a penalty shot off a foul in the box. An impressive diving save by Oswego goalkeeper Kyle Rose would decline Potsdam's PK and send his team back on offense. Another pair of corner kicks would create chaos in front of the Bears' net, where Marcus Baker would tally a fifth and final Laker goal at 78:38. Not ready to relinquish, Potsdam managed to find the back of the net once more, but it would just not be enough to combat their 3-goal deficit.  

What's Next
Oswego Men's Soccer will have a quick turnaround traveling to Plattsburgh, N.Y. this weekend, where they will face off against the SUNY Plattsburgh Cardinals this Saturday, October 15th. Kickoff will commence at 1:00PM at the SUNY Plattsburgh Field House. Go Lakers! 

Written By: Matilda Pethrick 

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