OSWEGO, N.Y. – Looking to build off their 11-9 rebound win against Alfred University, Oswego Men's Lacrosse strapped in for a non-conference matchup against the Brockport Golden Eagles. While Oswego looked to attach another win to their record, the Eagles were eager to find their first victory of the season, netting the first goal of the day in the opening seconds. Unphased, the Lakers were quick to match this energy collecting an equalizer on the following play and two more tallies before the initial buzzer. Not letting up just yet, the Eagles began to regain their opening offensive ryhtym, leveling the score 3-3 with a pair of back-to-back goals. As the physicality began to pick up, both teams struggled to stay out of the box, allowing Oswego to capitalize on powerplays. Picking up right where they left off on offense, the Lakers wasted no time adding to their lead in the early minutes of the third quarter, improving the scoreline to 9-5 heading into the final frame. Keeping their foot on the gas, Oswego tacked on 6 more goals in the fourth quarter, securing a dominant 14-6 victory over SUNY Brockport.  

THE BASICS 
Final Score:  
Oswego 14 (2-1, 0-0 SUNYAC) 
Brockport 6 (0-5, 0-0 Empire 8) 
Location: Laker Turf Stadium | Oswego, N.Y. 

 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

A hot start by Brockport would give them the forward foot off the opening draw. Scrambling for possession, Golden Eagle Luke Hopkins managed to find teammate Hunter Riehlman who would notch the first goal of the game just 0:07 seconds into play. Unphased, a quick the Lakers would match the Eagles' offensive initiative on the following draw, releasing a promising sequence of shots on opposing netminder Jaren Kulik. Brockport was quick to chase down Oswego's missed attempts, finding their legs in transition, but struggled to convert against an eager Laker defense. A physical effort by senior attackman Hayden Coney forced a Brockport turnover that he would quickly move towards net and hand off to Doryn Leclair, who did not hesitate to equalize the score at the 10:22 mark. A hit just before Leclair's tally would award the Lakers with the first man-up advantage of the game, on which Coney collected his second point of the day, improving the scoreline to 2-1 at 9:12. Slowly tilting the field in their favor, Oswego continued to churn out offense, finding a third goal scored by Brockport transfer Logan Postel and keeping the Golden Eagles on their heels on defense. A late offensive surge by Brockport would produce some quality looks in closing moments of the first quarter, but senior keeper, Seamus Hand, stood tall in net rejecting a final five-hole attempt just before the initial buzzer.  

Not ready to lay down, the Eagles wasted no time getting their grips on offense. Scrambling to regain their structure on defense, the Lakers would suffer two consecutive penalties, giving Brockport a crucial powerplay. This advantage kickstarted some scoring momentum for the Golden Eagles, netting two back-to-back goals at the 11:05 and 10:07 stamps. Keeping their foot on the gas, Brockport released a second compilation of shots on Hand, as the Lakers returned to even strength. A successful clear by Oswego gave the some authority as they crossed midfield. Setting up their offense swiftly, another sneaky skip pass by Emmett Starowicz surpassed Brockport's defense, allowing Postel to net a second one-timer goal at the 7:45 mark. A series of back-and-forth minutes would have both teams trading possession and chances on net, but only the Lakers were able to capitalize, extending the scoreline 5-3 with 5:18 remaining in the second quarter. Determined to level the scoreboard before half time, the Eagles remained consistent on draws and ground balls, but Oswego would have the last laugh, adding a sixth goal to count with 1:38 left on the clock.  

Picking up right where they left off in the first, the Lakers regained offensive positioning almost immediately at the start of the third quarter. A pair of shots generated would be no good, but a low-to-high sidearm rip sent on net by Starowicz would evade Kulik at 13:53, making the score 7-4. Determined to lessen their deficit, the Golden Eagles worked to match Oswego's physicality on ground balls and draws. Unfortunately, this newfound intensity would somewhat backfire, sending Nicholas Bisesi to the box at 12:00. A brief pause in play, to deliberate Brockport's penalties, would not break the Lakers' focus, feeding Postel a third on the doorstep, achieving an 8-4 lead at the 11:37 mark. A few minutes later, a ferocious attack by Hunter Riehlman helped slightly lessen the Eagles' deficit, but first year midfielder, Nick Spinner, jumped at the chance to recover Oswego's 4-goal cushion heading into the final frame.  

Building off their scoring surge in the third quarter, Laker forward Garrett Elston tacked on a 10th goal under the elbow of Jared Kulik 0:44 seconds into fourth quarter play. A scoring drought for both teams would follow Elston's goal, not being broken until Leclair and Starowicz reignited Oswego's scoring reign with a pair of goals around the 6-minute mark. Despite maintaining good defensive structure and intensity, Brockport could not escape their penalty troubles, handing Coney the Lakers' sixth, man-up goal of the game with 3:12 remaining. Oswego's Sam Coleman and Golden Eagle Mason Michel traded final scores but it would be a little too little too late for Brockport, falling 14-6 to Oswego at the final buzzer. 

WHAT'S NEXT 

Oswego Men's Lacrosse will have another quick turnaround, traveling to Utica, N.Y. this Saturday, March 14th, to face off against the SUNY Polytechnic Institute Wildcats. The opening draw is set to commence at 3:00PM on Wildcat Field. Go Lakers! 

Written By: Matilda Pethrick 

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