The Oswego State women’s soccer team is currently on a three-game losing streak after defeating SUNY Canton 4-0. Being plagued by multiple injuries and only playing three games at home have not helped the Lakers this season with a lot of their losses being very close games.

“It has been disappointing and frustrating,” head coach Brian McGrane said. “Injuries to key players occured at the wrong time, just when things were starting to click, we have had to move some players around.”

In their first loss during their last three games the Lakers kept it close with SUNY Geneseo, who are the No. 17 ranked team in the country, throughout the entire game. The Lakers were able to hold the Knights to only two goals, while most of the Knights’ wins have been by two or more goals. The final score was 2-0, in favor of SUNY Geneseo.

“They are always the top team in our league,” junior forward Lynsey Roth said. “We were able to compete by holding them in the last 14 minutes. We just could not capitalize on our chances [to score].”

The Lakers second loss came to The College at Brockport. In it the Lakers kept it a close one goal match for a majority of the game, until the 79th minute when the Lakers gave up a penalty goal for the Golden Eagles to secure a 2-0 victory. The Lakers have still been able to remain positive through the losses and continue to work hard as a team in order to turn things around.

“I think we are working really hard,” sophomore midfielder Graisa Madden said. “We have been outplaying some of the teams we played and just getting really unlucky with finishing. If we keep working hard I think we can start winning some games.”

The Lakers third loss came in their last game against SUNY Cortland. With  SUNY Cortland’s first goal being a deflection off of senior goalkeeper Emma Allen. The Red Dragons then sealed the game with a breakaway one timer off of a loose ball to give the Lakers their third straight loss.

“We gave up two easy goals,” McGrane said. “We had plenty of opportunities to tie the game and we just could not capitalize. That’s really gonna be the key to help us win. Everyone on the team is here to compete, which we all love, but at the end of the day it is all about results.”

Some of the positives for the team is that a lot of players have really stepped up their game from the start of the season, including senior defensive back Grace Mueller who was referred to by her coach as the best defensive back in their conference.

“[After] losing a center back early in the season, she has played a major role and had to adjust to moving around a lot,” said Roth. “She has really been shutting down opponents and has really put the team first by focusing on her role [with the team].”

With injuries piling up, many freshman have gotten the chance to play meaningful minutes in games. This has definitely helped them adjust to playing at the college in the eyes of coach McGrane.  

“We have had a handful of players who have really stood out and stepped up their game,” McGrane said. “We are very excited about the freshman we have and that they will be here for four years.”

The Lakers will look to get a win streak started this weekend against SUNY Oneonta and will get to finish the season with their last four games at home. Since the Lakers have only lost one game at home it seems like a very positive outlook for the team to finish the season strong. With SUNY Oneonta coming off a one goal loss against Buffalo State, the Lakers will look to take advantage and put their next game in the win column.

“We have to play with a bit of urgency,” McGrane said. “Sometimes you get down 1-0 and you just gotta put it behind you and play. We can certainly compete with them, but we have to have the right mentality and mindset [during the game].”

The Oswego State women’s soccer teams next game is Friday Oct.11 at 4 p.m. against SUNY Oneonta. After that they only have one more game on the road before their four game stretch to finish the season at home.

Photo by Nicole Hube | The Oswegonian