OSWEGO, N.Y. – Looking to continue their three-game winning streak, Oswego Men's Lacrosse hit Laker Turf today for a physical matchup against the Utica University Pioneers. Utica opened the game with heavy pressure, striking just 0:59 seconds in, before Oswego settled into its defensive structure. The Lakers responded by generating transition chances off forced turnovers, eventually tying the game and taking a 2-1 lead on a late power-play marker from Garrett Elston. Oswego carried this momentum into the second quarter, where Elston struck again on another man-up opportunity. Countering with a handful of steady offensive pushes, the Pioneers were able to grab a 5-4 lead heading into halftime. Regrouping in the third, the Lakers tightened their defensive pressure and earned yet another power-play goal from Elston. But would have tough out a 7-minute scoring drought; that would eventually be broken by junior Logan Postel just before the final frame. Early in the fourth, connected passing sequences helped Oswego extend its lead to 8-5, though Utica battled back with two late goals to make it a one-goal game. Holding firm in the final minutes, the Lakers closed out today's matchup with an 8-7 victory over the Utica Pioneers. 

THE BASICS 
Final Score:  

Oswego 8 (4-1, 0-0 SUNYAC) 

Utica 7 (1-3, 0-0 Empire 8) 

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

 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

A hot start by Utica would send the Lakers scrambling to settle in on defense. Some quick ball movement between the Pioneers kept Oswego on their toes, but it did not take long for them to find the seams, netting the first goal of the game just 0:59 seconds into play. Utica regained possession off the following face off, but a clock-violation would hand the ball over to the Lakers for their first turn on offense. Finding their legs in the midfield, Oswego was able to generate a pair of shots on net, but Utica's netminder, Jake Bowen, was quick to reject the attempts. A successful clear by Bowen gave his forwards easy offensive access, but an eager Laker defense stood ready, forcing a handful of turnovers just inside the 25-yard line. These turnovers would be crucial in kickstarting Oswego in transition, forcing the Pioneers to chase them upfield. As the clock began to wind down, the Lakers began to tilt the field in their favor, leveling the scoreline 1-1 with a goal scored by senior Trey Jones with 3:59 to play. Keeping their foot on the gas, Oswego promptly regained offensive control, testing the patience of Utica's defense. Not before long, Pioneer Landen Frey would be charged with a cross-checking penalty, awarding the Lakers with a powerplay, on which Garrett Elston would capitalize, giving Oswego a 2-1 edge heading into the second quarter.  

Building off their late offensive surge, the Lakers picked up right where they left off, on offense. Another pair of quick shots sent in by Oswego's midfield would unfortunately be collected by Bowen, but a penalty picked up in transition by Michael Mecca would allow the Lakers to return on offense with a man-up advantage, on which Elston found the back of the net once again at the 14:02 mark. Both teams would trade chances in the succeeding minutes, but Utica's Michael Reid would be the next to add to the scoreline with a long, heavy shot from the outside at 10:38. The quarter's early back-and-forth tone would persist throughout the middle minutes of the quarter, increasing the Lakers' and Pioneers' determination and physicality in ground ball battles. With halftime drawing closer, neither team was ready to lay down, going goal-for-goal in the closing 5 minutes. A timeout called by Utica's head coach Sean Behan would pay off, as a deceptive passing play, spearheaded by Lucas Donahue, found Noah Erickson on the doorstep where he would secure a 5-4 lead just before the intermission. 

Eager to regain a lead, the Lakers did not waste much time off the faceoff, controlling play at both ends of the field in the beginning minutes of the third quarter. Although struggling to maintain solid possession, Oswego managed to contain the Pioneers after they forced turnovers and shutdown their options on clears. This began to frustrate Utica in their defensive end, sending Frey to the box once again. Like the second quarter, Garrett Elston continued to be a powerplay hero, pocketing a hat trick at the 9:20 mark on the advantage, to level the score 5-5. Following Elston's goal, a scoring drought would persist until Logan Postel tallied a sixth goal for the Lakers with 2:42 left.  

As the final frame got underway, the Lakers were performing as a well-oiled machine, shutting down Utica in transition and battering Jake Bowen with a compilation of shots. While none of Oswego's initial attempts heeded successful, some connected passing between Trey Jones and Hayden Coney was enough to evade the Pioneers, attaching a 7th and 8th goal to the scoreboard at 13:03 and 12:38, extending their lead to 8-5. But just as the Lakers began to run away with the game, Utica dug their heels in, finding a series of offensive possessions and a goal at the 6:57 mark. Signaling they still had some fight left in them; the Lakers remained consistent on defense, forcing turnovers and forcing the Pioneers to take low-percentage shots. Doing so, Oswego managed to keep Utica at bay for much of their turn, but a final goal scored by Ryan Consdine would prove too close for comfort, improving the scoreline to 8-7 with just 1:48 remaining. Unbothered, the Lakers remained calm and collected on defense, regaining possession and securing a hard-fought 8-7 win over the Utica University Pioneers.  

WHAT'S NEXT 

Oswego Men's Lacrosse will have a few days to recover, returning to action this Saturday, March 21st against the Farmingdale State College Rams. The opening faceoff is set to commence at 1:00PM in Laker Turf Stadium. Go Lakers!   

Written By: Matilda Pethrick 

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