#6 Oswego lakers at #3 Fredonia Blue Devils
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 – 2:00 p.m.
University Stadium – Fredonia, NY
 
The Matchup… Sixth sixth-seeded Oswego State Lakers go on the road to play the third-seeded Fredonia State Blue Devils in the first round of the 2025 SUNYAC Women's Soccer Tournament.

This will be the 40th matchup of the two schools since they began playing one another in 1986, with the Lakers holding the edge over the Blue Devils at a record of 20-13-6. This has been a very tightly contested affair since the turn of the decade, as the series is split at 2-2-1 since 2019. Oswego is still searching for their first outright SUNYAC title in program history, despite making the SUNYAC Championship game six times, most recently in 2016. Oswego has won a SUNYAC regular season, this coming back in 1991, where they were West Division Co-Champions. 
 
The Last Matchup… The Lakers put up a valiant effort against visiting Fredonia, falling on senior day, 2-1. The Lakers wasted no time getting on the board, striking in the 5th minute when Courtney Key finished off a pass from Kyla Sustad to give Oswego the early 1–0 advantage.  

Oswego controlled much of the opening half, outshooting Fredonia 12–9 and forcing the Blue Devils' goalkeeper to make six saves. Despite the pressure, Fredonia managed to even the score late in the half as McKenna Szmarz converted in the 43rd minute to make it 1–1 at the break.

The Lakers continued to generate opportunities in the second half, led by Sustad, who recorded nine shots and five on goal. However, Fredonia capitalized on a set piece in the 75th minute, as Brooke Grazen netted the go-ahead goal that would ultimately stand as the game-winner. 
 
The Lakers at a glance… At 6-5-5 overall (3-2-4 SUNYAC), Oswego enters the tournament with multiple hard-fought contests that ended in draws between both sides, with ties to Plattsburgh and Buffalo State in the last week. The Lakers started the season on a high note, with marquee wins over Utica, Keuka, and Wilkes to begin their season with a 3-0-1 record heading into mid-September. As conference play began, the Lakers fell victim to three consecutive home losses, rounding out the month with an overall record of 3-2-2. 
 
The Lakers were able to build on their early success with their resilience in hard-fought games, as they grabbed draws from multiple SUNYAC Playoff teams, including Plattsburgh (#2 seed), Buffalo State (#4 seed), and New Paltz (#5 seed). 
 
Leading the lines for the Lakers is Junior Kyla Sustad (Willet, N.Y. / Cincinnatus High School), as she has netted five goals and eight assists. Her performance this season has placed her tied for 10th in the SUNYAC in goals, third in assists, and fourth in points. Sustad also leads the SUNYAC in shots, with 74. 
 
The Lakers have a very stout back four, as Senior Erika Yancey (Fairport, N.Y. / Fairport High School) and Sophomore Grace Clary (Fulton, N.Y. / Fulton High School) make up the center back pairing. Flanking the two talented defenders are Senior Nicolette Joannou (Shoreham, N.Y. / Shoreham Wading River High School), and Sophomore Shea O'Rourke (North Tonawanda, N.Y. / North Tonawanda High School). These four are responsible for nearly 5,300 minutes played between the four, have started all 16 games this season, and have netted two goals and one assist. 
 
Finally, Senior Goalkeeper Paytyn Crane (Penfield, N.Y. / Penfield High School) has taken the reins as starting goalkeeper for the Lakers this season, and has done wonderfully. As a Junior, she appeared in just three games, logging nearly 100 minutes and making two saves. Her senior season is a different story, as she has played in 16 games, starting every game. She has played very well, pitching a 6-5-5 record, with a 1.22 GAA, a .700 save percentage, and recording three shutouts. 

Written by Tyler Ferragamo