OSWEGO, N.Y. – Oswego Field Hockey returned to action in Laker Turf Stadium on a beautiful Saturday to open their 2025 season against the Wilkes University Colonels. After losing a handful of top point scorers, the Lakers are hoping to find some star power amongst their 6 first years and returners. And a hot start from the Colonels is just what Oswego needed to do so. An even start from both programs would not last long as the Lakers would find themselves trailing 1-0 after the first quarter of play but they would not be discouraged, remaining consistent on defense and finding some headway up the sidelines. Wilkes would hold onto their mere lead for the entirety of the match but were set on creating separation in the final frame, securing a second tally in the beginning minutes of the 4th quarter. Despite a hard-fought effort from Oswego, they were unable to add to the scoresheet, falling 2-0 to the Colonels in their home opener.
THE BASICS
Final Score:
Oswego 0 (0-1, 0-0 SUNYAC),
Wilkes 2 (1-0, 0-0 MAC)
Location: Laker Turf Stadium | Oswego, N.Y.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Looking to make a strong start and correct last season's 3-2 loss against Wilkes, Oswego hit the ground running off the starting possession. A brief offensive turn for both teams would not generate much for either program, despite the Lakers earning the first penalty corner of the game at 12:04. As both teams found their rhythm, the Colonels applied some offensive pressure, getting a few shots through to sophomore goalkeeper Sam Krautheim. A fast reverse chip by opposing forward Maddie Karp would find Krautheim's blocker creating a rebound that would be put in by Morgan Hermanofski with a little over 5 minutes left in the opening quarter. Determined to level the scoreboard before the initial buzzer, Oswego would gain their second corner opportunity of the match on the next play but would head into the second still trailing 1-0.
Wasting no time in the 2nd quarter, the Lakers began to chip away on offense but a compilation of saves by net minder Chloe Gilroy would hold the Wilkes defense together. As play continued to unfold, Oswego's lines stayed connected, shutting down the Colonels on the sidelines. Back-and-forth possession in the midfield would leave the scoreline to be decided by a series of Wilkes penalty corners in the final seconds. A calculated block by junior Natalie Shields would neutralize a forceful drive from a Wilkes player at the top of the circle just before halftime.
Halftime would allow for Oswego to regroup and prepare for a crucial third quarter. The Lakers would find themselves playing non-stop defense for the better part of the beginning six minutes, resisting multiple Colonel corners. While Oswego began to creep out of their zone, they traded fouls with Wilkes but would finally find some headway off a sequence of successful flat-and-through passes. As the clock began to tick down the Lakers secured a scoring opportunity, but it wouldn't be enough to alter the tally.
With the score standing 1-0 the name of the game in the final frame was offense. Set on creating separation, the Colonels did not hesitate to get shots on net. A consistent effort by Sam Krautheim and the Laker defense would just not be enough to hold off Colonel Maddie Karp who would secure a second goal for Wilkes at the 11:07 mark. Fighting hard to get on the scoresheet, Oswego would earn back-to-back penalty corners in the following minutes but was unable to capitalize, falling 2-0 to Wilkes at the final buzzer.
WHAT'S NEXT
After today's hard-fought performance, Oswego Field Hockey will have a few days to readjust before hosting the Elmira College Eagles this Wednesday, September 3rd, in Laker Turf Stadium at 4:00 PM.
Written By: Matilda Pethrick
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