The Oswego State women’s lacrosse team is off to a 3-0 start this season, following a 19-13 victory over St. Lawrence on Wednesday afternoon. The Lakers were once again led by seniors Teresa Shattuck and Brigid Regin. Regin totaled seven points on six goals and an assist, while Shattuck also tallied seven points but with one goal and six assists.
Shattuck now leads the team with 26 points through three games and was honored as this week’s Laker Athlete of the Week after setting the school record with 11 assists against Lycoming College. Fellow captain Regin is second on the team in points with 15 and leads the team with 11 goals. Shattuck and Regin’s leadership entering their senior years could determine just how far the Lakers go this season.
“They’re very strong on and off the field, both academically and athletically, and the girls really look up to them,” said head coach Britt Howard. “I think that, with them in our captain role, we can go a far way.”
Returners are always a huge advantage from year to year, and the Lakers have a roster full of upperclass talent. Of the 27 players on the roster, 20 are juniors and seniors. This has made transitioning into the new season a lot easier for Howard.
“We have several returners, which I think is very strong for us,” Howard said. “Our goaltender we lost, which was a huge impact, but we have a junior that has really stepped up in the role.”
The goaltender the Lakers lost was four-year starter Angela Ponto. Ponto posted a career 36-28 record and .505 save percentage. In her last game with Oswego State, Ponto stopped a career-high 21 saves in the SUNYAC semifinals loss against SUNY Cortland.
Stepping in to replace her is junior Elianna Sanchez. Sanchez is one of two goalies on the roster, but she is off to a 3-0 start this season, stopping 34 shots en route to a .521 save percentage.
Even with all the returners, the Lakers have also had to incorporate three freshmen and a whopping 11 transfers into their system. Regin acknowledged that playing with that many new teammates could take some getting used to.
“I definitely think our chemistry is something we need to work on,” Regin said. “We have a bunch of new players and a bunch of freshmen, so finding that chemistry to connect on defense and also offense will really help us out.”
Another added element to begin this season has been the weather. As is usual in the beginning of any spring sport at Oswego State, the Lakers have had to reschedule the St. Lawrence game twice before completing it Wednesday afternoon. Their game against Morrisville State scheduled for last week has also been postponed.
“It’s kind of disappointing. I mean, we build up a game plan, we build up a scout and then find out within one or two days that our game is canceled,” Howard said. “I think it’s kind of discouraging for the girls, but we’re trying to battle through it and take it day by day.”
Those lack of games is perhaps more discouraging for the players involved in them.
“I get in such a game mode and get ready for these games, and then they get canceled because the weather is crappy, and we can’t go outside and play,” Regin said. “It really does blow.”
When the Lakers have taken the field, they have been stellar thus far. Oswego State has outscored its opponents to the tune of a plus 22 goal differential. With just one tune-up remaining before SUNYAC play begins, the Lakers and Shattuck have their eyes set on one longtime foe.
“I definitely want to make it to SUNYACs,” Shattuck said. “I want to beat Cortland. It’s a big goal for us this year to beat Cortland, and maybe that’ll set us up for winning SUNYACs.”
The Lakers lost both games to the Red Dragons last season by a score of 13-10, including the SUNYAC semifinals game. With it being the fourth and final season for Shattuck and the rest of the Oswego State seniors, it is now or never.
“Being a senior, it just kind of means I have to give it all I can,” Shattuck said. “It’s the last time I’m ever going to play lacrosse, so I might as well go all out.”
The Lakers travel on the road for two games over spring break before returning home on March 27 against The College at Brockport.
Photo by: Maria Pericozzi | The Oswegonian
