OSWEGO, N.Y. – After a week off from competition, Oswego Men's Soccer took to Laker Turf to host the SUNY Oneonta Red Dragons in their first conference contest of the season. With both teams vying for their first SUNYAC points of the year, neither wasted any time getting to work. The Red Dragons would be the first to find the back of the net just minutes into the match and would remain on offense for much of the first half. A vigilant defensive effort by the Lakers would frustrate a hungry Oneonta offense, but a final offensive surge would allow the Dragons to attach a 2nd tally just before the intermission. In what turned out to be a physical second half, both teams entered a scoring drought. Despite sparing no effort in the second half, the Lakers were unable to capitalize, falling 3-0 to SUNY Oneonta in the final minutes.  

THE BASICS 
 
Final Score:  

Oswego 0 (1-4-3, 0-1 SUNYAC)  

Oneonta 3 (6-2-1, 1-0 SUNYAC) 

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

 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

A fast start by the Red Dragons would have the Lakers on their heels in their defensive end. Having to settle in, the Oswego defense allowed Oneonta to notch the first tally just 3:23 minutes into the first half. As play continued to unfold, the Dragons remained on offense, but Oswego net minder Kyle Rose would reject a handful of scoring attempts, keeping the score 1-0.  Although Oswego worked hard to gain a turn on offense, a connected Oneonta defense stood tall in their way, shutting down any lane Oswego found. A series of back-and-forth minutes would leave the Red Dragons determined to create some separation before the intermission, and a final offensive surge would prompt just that, attaching a 2nd unanswered goal to the scoreline moments before the intermission. 

As the opening minutes of the second half got underway, Oneonta picked up right where they left off, on offense. Not ready to relinquish just yet, the Lakers remained vigilant on defense. This solid effort from Oswego would award them a handful of offensive opportunities in the beginning minutes but they were unable to capitalize. While Oneonta worked to extend their lead, Oswego worked even harder to combat a compilation of fouls.  Another handful of saves made by Rose kept the Dragons at bay, but Oneonta continued to apply pressure all over the field. As the clock began to diminish, tensions began to rise as neither team could contribute to the scoresheet. Despite sparing no effort all game, the Lakers would fall 3-0 in the final minutes to SUNY Oneonta.  

WHAT'S NEXT 

Oswego Men's Soccer will have a few days before traveling to Canton, N.Y. this Wednesday, October 1st where they will face off against the SUNY Canton Kangaroos. Kickoff will commence at 6:00PM on SUNY Canton Turf Field. Go Lakers! 

Written By: Matilda Pethrick 

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