OSWEGO, N.Y. – Oswego Women's Lacrosse returned to action in Laker Turf Stadium this afternoon, opening their SUNYAC campaign in a matchup against the SUNY Fredonia Blue Devils. Both teams came out ready to compete, achieving an early 2-2 scoreline. Undeterred by the beginning minutes, the Lakers laid down the hammer, mounting an 8-2 lead heading into the 2nd quarter. Oswego did not hesitate to pick up where they left off, extending the score right off the draw. Fredonia lashed back with two goals of their own, but the Lakers kept their foot on the gas ending the half with a 15-4 lead. A lighter third quarter, in terms of scoring, would leave Fredonia a hefty 12-goal margin to make up in the final frame. Despite their irreparable deficit, the Blue Devils still refused to lay down, adding a sixth goal to the tally. A final offensive surge by Oswego would secure a 21-6 victory over conference rival SUNY Fredonia. 

 
THE BASICS 
 
Final Score:  

Oswego 21 (4-2, 1-0 SUNYAC) 

Fredonia 6 (5-4, 1-1 SUNYAC) 
Location: Laker Turf Stadium | Oswego, N.Y. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

A solid opening draw win by Alexis Hill would give the Lakers the first offensive possession of the game, but all initial chances would be shut down by the Devils. Fredonia would gain some forward momentum as the beginning minutes got underway securing the first goal of the match just under 3 minutes in. Graduate student Madison Davis would respond on Oswego's next trip down the field, with a powerful shot from the top of the fan at the 11:40 mark. Davis's tally would light a spark under her fellow Lakers, as a connected passing play off the following draw would award Cassidy Croce a goal 0:06 seconds later. A cross-check by would give the Blue Devils the first advantage of the game, on which they would make good, equalizing the score 2-2 at 8:25. Undeterred Oswego laid down the hammer, scoring 5 goals in a little under five minutes, mounting a 7-2 lead. Madison Davis would add one more before the end, sending the Lakers into the 2nd with an 8-2 lead.  

Without hesitation, Oswego picked up where they left off in the first, with juniors Alexis Hill and Noel Smith making it 10-2 at 13:08. Fredonia would capitalize on a free position opportunity in the proceeding minutes, but the Lakers would continue to find their way around a physical Fredonia squad extending the scoreline to 13-4 with 6:18 left to play in the second quarter. As the clock began to tick down, a strong possession by Oswego would result in a 14th goal Julia Quirk, activating running time. First year Aubriana Green found the back of the net once more for the Lakers, closing out the first half with a 15-4 lead.  

As the wind continued to pick up, so did the Lakers, keeping heavy defensive and offensive pressure on the Blue Devils. A long clear by Fredonia netminder, Ashleigh Manns, would be intercepted by Cassidy Croce on the far-left sideline. Catching the Devils on their heels, Croce walked in uncontested to secure her fourth point of the game at 13:21. Alexis Hill collected a seventeenth goal for Oswego that was recalled after the referees determined an illegal stick violation. Not accepting defeat just yet, opposing midfielder Sydney Buchko remained persistent, putting one between the legs of Alana Iacovissi at 5:41. Before the buzzer, Aubrianna Green would put another one bar down, securing a 12-goal margin heading into the final frame.  

The fourth quarter very closely mimicked the others, in terms of physicality and a dominant offensive performance by the Lakers, but Fredonia still refused to lay down despite their irreparable 14-goal deficit. A sixth and final goal scored by Blue Devil Alexa Ventura would be just a little too late, as Oswego ran away with a 21-6 victory in the final minutes of play.  

WHAT'S NEXT 

Oswego Women's Lacrosse will have another quick turnaround, heading to Morrisville, N.Y. this Saturday, March 29th to continue their conference campaign against the SUNY Morrisville Mustangs. The opening draw is set to commence at 1:00PM at the SUNY Morrisville Stadium on Drake Field. Go Lakers! 

Written By: Matilda Pethrick 

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