Oswego State women’s soccer goalie Emma Allen has been a leader both on and off the field for the Lakers this season. Allen fell in love with the game, and the keeper position, at a young age.

“It was back in middle school. My coach was like, ‘Someone has to play goalie,’ and I had no hesitation to raise my hand,” Allen said. “My dad thought I was kind of nuts at first to do it, but I stuck with it.”

Even before college, Allen had to overcome the struggles of playing on a Syracuse city high school team through her alma mater, Corcoran High School. Due to a lack of players, Corcoran had to combine with Henninger High School for its women’s soccer team.

“It was different. For football, we’re enemies, so it’s kind of difficult. Combining all those schools, you make relationships with girls that you have forever,” Allen said. “The city doesn’t always have the best rep. It’s kind of cool to combine our schools and be there for each other.”

Head coach Brian McGrane said he knew of the difficulties of Syracuse city soccer.

“Playing in the city program is tough because you’re merging multiple schools into one team,” McGrane said. “The training is not even close as you’d get on a club team or here.”

The recruiting process is always an interesting one, and it was a series of moves for Allen. She began her college career at SUNY Delhi before transferring back home to Onondaga Community College in Syracuse. It is safe to say Allen is at her best when she is back home. She chose Oswego for that very reason, yet it went beyond just the location.

“It’s not too far away from home,” Allen said. “I was two and a half hours away from home at my first school and I didn’t like it too much. I’m a big homebody, and, honestly, this program before didn’t have the best rep. But when coach McGrane came in and stepped it up, I looked at his coaching style, everything like that. It was a perfect fit.”

Allen has not looked back at all. The junior from Syracuse has totaled 45 saves to just seven goals allowed through nine games in 2018. She has also raised her save percentage from .807 to .865 in just one season. Perhaps most impressive is Allen’s four shutouts in 2018, including a 0-0 double overtime tie to St. Lawrence University, where Allen came up with a whopping 14 saves.

“[St. Lawrence University is] a very good team. I felt accomplished. Even though we didn’t win, I felt like we proved ourselves to them,” Allen said.

It would end up being Allen’s second of four shutouts on the year. For McGrane, it has to be a big weight off his shoulders to have someone as solid as Allen in net every game.

“She’s only gaining confidence from last year into this year. She’s been fantastic for us,” McGrane said. “In terms of our back four, they are able to take chances that they normally wouldn’t with a new goalie. We have four goalies on the roster. The other three look up to her immensely. They try to mimic what she does in practice, and they’re all really close. She’s a positive influence.”

As any good goalie possesses, Allen has extremely quick reaction time. During her high school training, her athleticism has propelled her to become one of the best goalies in the SUNYAC conference.

“In high school, I had no idea the antics of the game. I was kind of just saving balls to save them. I didn’t know positioning,” Allen said. “I’ve matured as the years have gone on and have more appreciation for the game. Honestly, it’s just always there for me.”

Through all the success, Allen always finds ways to credit her teammates and her coaching staff. Her work ethic never wavers.

“There’s always is room for improvement,” she said. “But along the way, [coach McGrane] made me a better player and a better person. He’s the one I can thank for my fast reflexes and hands.”

Shea McCarthy and Maria Pericozzi | The Oswegonian