OSWEGO, N.Y. – Oswego Women's Soccer hit the pitch this evening to face off against the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons in their third consecutive conference game. With both teams eager to earn a SUNYAC win and to improve their matching 5-3-2 records, the contest proved to be a marathon, not a sprint. A physical first half tested both teams' patience and persistence, as we would not see a goal until the 31-minute mark, when Cortland was the the first to contribute to the scoresheet. Determined to level the playing field, the Lakers wasted no time after the intermission, putting shots on net. Despite this initial surge, the second frame would closely mimic the first, as Cortland added another tally off a penalty shot. The long, physical battle eventually began to take a toll on the Lakers, and their scoring chances became harder to create. Despite sparing no effort all game, Oswego would unfortunately fall 2-0 to the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons. 

THE BASICS 
 
Final Score:  

Oswego 0 (5-4-2, 2-1-1 SUNYAC),  

Cortland 2 (6-3-2, 2-0-1 SUNYAC) 

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

 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

As play opened, the Red Dragons got ahold of Oswego's center pass and generated their first turn on offense. A handful of attempts made by Cortland's offense would be controlled and sent back up field by a prepared Laker defense. While Oswego managed to gain some leeway, a corner kick returned possession to the Dragons. In the following minutes, both teams exchanged drives with hopes to penetrate their offensive zone. As the half continued to unfold, neither squad was able to secure quality scoring opportunities, keeping the score deadlocked 0-0. Then, a long ball from Cortland sent to find DeTurris just past centerfield, giving her access to the top of Lakers zone. Unphased by a physical Oswego defender, she managed to release a hard shot on the net, notching the first goal of the game 31:01 into the half. Hungry to add the next goal, the Lakers did not let up in the final minutes before intermission.  

The Lakers wasted no time in the 2nd half, peppering opposing goalkeeper Olivia Rouse with a variety of shots right off the bat. An impressive series of saves made by Rouse maintained the Dragons' 1-0 lead and sent Cortland back up the field on offense. While the early minutes of the second frame clearly mimicked those of the first, so did the rest of the half, with the Red Dragons earning a penalty shot and goal at the 57:49 mark. Now trailing 2-0, Oswego put their nose to the grindstone, applying heavy pressure on Cortland at both ends of the field. A handful of fouls would elevate the tension between the two teams and make it difficult for the Lakers to find rhythm. Despite sparing no effort all game, Oswego would unfortunately fall 2-0 to the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons. 

WHAT'S NEXT 

Oswego Women's Soccer will have a few days to prepare before hosting the SUNY New Paltz Hawks this Saturday, October 11th. Kickoff will commence at 12:00PM at Laker Turf Stadium. Go Lakers! 

Written By: Matilda Pethrick 

@OswegoAthletics  | FB: OswegoAthleticsOfficial  | IG: oswegoathletics