OSWEGO, N.Y. – After a thrilling semi-final win over Buffalo State, No.1 Oswego Women's Lacrosse earned the privilege of hosting the 2025 SUNYAC Championship, facing off against the reigning champion, No.2 SUNY Cortland in Laker Turf Stadium. Determined to cap off this year's historical season with their first conference title since 1998, the Lakers meant business off the opening draw. A solid showing by both teams in the first quarter would indicate the cat-and-mouse game that would ensue, entering the second quarter tied 2-2. Despite Oswego's multiple scoring initiatives, Cortland managed to respond promptly keeping the score tied for much of the 2nd, until the Lakers created some separation in the final minutes of the half. Not ready to surrender, the Dragons worked relentlessly to lessen their deficit in the third quarter, but a consistent offensive performance by Oswego allowed them to maintain a 4-goal lead heading into the final frame. Keeping their foot on the gas, the Lakers and Dragons continued to add to the scoreboard in the fourth, but a final draw and possession controlled by Oswego would terminate Cortland's 25 SUNYAC Championship title reign with a dominant 12-8 victory. 

THE BASICS 
 
Final Score:  

Oswego 12 (15-2, 11-0 SUNYAC) 

Cortland 8 (11-7, 8-2 SUNYAC) 

  
Location: Laker Turf Stadium | Oswego, N.Y. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

An aggressive opening draw would be collected by first year Aubrianna Green, taking it down for the first possession of the game. Wasting no time, a quick pass around between the Lakers would generate a quality chance for Sophie Ruschin that would unfortunately be ceased and cleared out by opposing netminder Trinity Parks. The Red Dragons would earn a brief turn on offense but struggled to find any solid looks against an eager Oswego defense. A fast break by Julia Quirk would regain offensive positioning for the Lakers giving Sophie Ruschin an opportunity to make good on her second shooting opportunity, netting the first goal of the game at 11:44. Responding promptly, Cortland would contest Oswego's tally with an equalizer just over a minute later at 10:35, but leading goal scorer Alexis Hill continued to add to her stat line with a free-position goal on the following play at the 9:46 mark. Toni Cashman would take initiative after a back-and-forth set of minutes, notching a second goal for Cortland off a hard crease roll at 7:30. Both teams would continue to trade scoring options but the deadlocked scoreline would persist into the early minutes of the second quarter.   

A draw violation by Hill would award Cortland with immediate possession and offensive entry to start the second quarter, but a green card charged against Gemme Guy on the next play would offer Oswego their first man-up advantage of the game and a third goal scored by sophomore Cassidy Croce at 13:32. A foul by Sadie Zemanick on Cortland attacker Mia Mitchell would allow her to try her hand at leveling the playing field, collecting a 3rd goal at 12:13. Not long after, Green would be sent to box, but Alexis Hill still managed to find the back of the net despite being a man-down at 11:36. The following draw would fall in favor of Red Dragon Taylor Mullins, setting her team up for a go on offense, but a compilation of saves made by junior goaltender Alana Iacovissi would disrupt Cortland's rhythm and send the Lakers back up the field. A lockdown defensive effort by the Dragons would fend Oswego off for much of a lackluster possession, until Alexis Hill secured a hat trick off a desperate attempt with just 0:02 seconds on the shot clock. A well-timed timeout called by head coach Britt Howard on the next play, would pay off as a regathered Laker offense found a way to lengthen their lead to 6-3 as play resumed at 5:03. Following Winn's effort, play turned quiet, regarding scoring, but not in terms of physicality leaving the scoreline standing at 6-3 heading into halftime.  

Not ready to surrender, the Red Dragons lessened their deficit to two goals just 0:21 seconds into the 3rd quarter. Turning the pressure up, Cortland shut down a few quick offensive attempts by Oswego and kept the ball in the midfield as the quarter began to unfold. Back-to-back green cards called on Nicole Iapoce and Ashley Melillo presented the Lakers with a prime 6-on-4 opportunity on which Cassidy Croce regained a 3-goal lead over the Dragons at the 9:21 mark. A handful of scoreless minutes would ensue following a Cortland timeout, but Cashman would be the one to end the dry spell, cashing in on her 2nd goal of the day at 4:07. After a timid performance in the first half of the match, Madison Davis would finally etch her name on to the scoresheet with an impressive low-to-high twizzler goal at 3:17 and capitalize on a missed pass between two Dragons, attaching a ninth goal to scoreline with 2:02 remaining. Struggling to control their emotions, Cortland would suffer an unnecessary roughness penalty, awarding Oswego another advantage heading into the final frame.  

Picking up right where they left off, the Lakers added a 10th goal to the scoreline in the starting minute of the fourth quarter. Another quick timeout called by Cortland head coach Kelsey Van Alstyne would give her Dragons a chance to catch their breath, which they would need as Oswego kept their foot on the gas in the proceeding minutes. Cassidy Croce and Toni Cashman would achieve hat tricks of their own at 10:08 and 8:54, upgrading the score to 11-6. Remaining consistent on offense, Alexis Hill turned the jets on, beating two defenders and Trinity Parks once again to achieve a 6-goal cushion at the 5:46 mark. As time began to expire, the Lakers continued to cover all bases, but a late surge by the Dragons would extend the scoreline to 12-8. Despite this valiant effort, a final draw and possession controlled by Oswego would terminate Cortland's 25 SUNYAC Championship title reign with a dominant 12-8 victory.  

WHAT'S NEXT 

Oswego Women's Lacrosse dominate the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons to capture their first conference title since 1998 and accept their invitation to the 2025 NCAA tournament. The Lakers' first round opponent and location is still yet to be determined so be sure to stay tuned in to Oswego State Athletics for updates. Go Lakers! 

Written By: Matilda Pethrick 

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