The Oswego State field hockey team starts their 2022 home schedule this afternoon at Laker Turf Stadium. The 1-0 Lakers welcome in the Houghton University Highlanders this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. for another nonconference contest. Friday afternoon, Oswego State defeated Medaille University 11-0 for their first win of the 2022 campaign.

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2021 Season Recap

OSWEGO STATE

The Lakers returned last season for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Oswego State finished the 2021 season with an 8-9 overall record and a 2-4 SUNYAC record with conference victories against Morrisville State and SUNY Brockport. The Lakers started the year on a 4-game win streak but missed the post season in November.

HOUGHTON UNIVERSITY

Houghton University played a complete 2021 schedule after a brief season in 2020. The Highlanders finished 5-11 overall with a 3-5 conference record in the Empire 8. The Highlanders were unable to find success on the road with a 1-7 away record but capped the campaign with a 7-0 shutout victory against The Sage Colleges in late October.

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Last Time Out

OSWEGO STATE

Oswego State opened their season last night with a trip to Buffalo, New York to take on the Mavericks of Medaille University. The Lakers had a successful bus trip as Oswego State defeated the Empire 8 squad 11-0. The Lakers found the back of the net in the first minute off the stick of Kacie Simzer. Senior Megan Delaney would extend the lead 4 minutes later and the flood gates began to open. Oswego State would have a 7-goal cushion heading into halftime and never looked back. Kaitlyn Ahle led the team with 3 goals and 2 assists. On the defensive side of the ball, goaltenders Erica Scheblein and Jenna Davidson split time in between the pipes and both received the shutout.

HOUGHTON UNIVERSITY

The Highlanders started their 13th season in program history with a win over Morrisville State. The 3-0 victory came on the road Thursday afternoon as Houghton University found the twine early in the first quarter. The Highlanders would hold off the Mustangs till the 4th quarter and net 2 more to extend their lead. Deborah Cross found the back of the net twice to push the squad pass Morrisville State.

Matchup History

Oswego State took the first victory between these 2 programs back in 1977 with a 3-1 win. Although the Highlanders have the advantage in the history book with a 22-19 record against the Lakers, Oswego State has beaten their opponents the past 3 meetings. The latest was in 2021 as the Lakers defeated the Highlanders 5-0 in the early part of the season. Since 2018, the Lakers have outscored the Houghton University team 9-2.

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By the Numbers

RECORD (conference)

OSW: 1-0-0 (0-0-0)

HOU: 1-0-0 (0-0-0)

GOALS (per game)

OSW: 11 (11.0)

HOU: 3 (3.0)

SHOTS ON GOAL (per game)

OSW: 56 (56.0)

HOU: 18 (18.0)

PENALTY CORNERS 

OSW: 11

HOU: 22

PENALTY STROKES: (goals – attempts)

OSW: 0-1

HOU: 0-1

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Statistic Leaders

OSWEGO STATE

GOALS

1. Kaitlyn Ahle                3
2. Megan Delaney 2
3. Kacie Simzer             2
4. Kate McNally             2

ASSISTS

1. Megan Delaney         3
2. Kaitlyn Ahle                2
3. Kacie Simzer             2

POINTS

1. Kaitlyn Ahle                8
2. Megan Delaney         7
3. Kacie Simzer              6

SHOTS (percentage)

1. Kaitlyn Ahle                 10 (.300)
2. Megan Delaney           8 (.250)
3. Julia Quirk                    6 (.333)

HOUGHTON UNIVERSITY

GOALS

1. Deborah Cross              2
2. Jace Hunzinger             1

ASSISTS

1. Elzandie du Plessis      1

POINTS

1. Deborah Cross             4
2. Jace Hunzinger             2
3. Elzandie du Plessis       1

SHOTS (percentage)

1. Deborah Cross             6 (.333)
2. Jace Hunzinger             6 (.167)
3. Elzandie du Plessis       5 (.000)

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Players to Watch

OSWEGO STATE: Kacie Simzer

The 5’ 10” midfielder enters today’s contest with 2 goals and 2 assists accredited to her name after yesterday’s performance against Medaille University. The Senior played every minute in the first game of the 2022 season and tallied 5 shots on goal over the course of the contest. Simzer is a player to watch this afternoon in the midfield.

HOUGHTON UNIVERSITY: Deborah Cross

The Harare, Zimbabwe native enters her sophomore season with the Highlanders after posting 17 points her rookie season. Cross found the back of the net twice on Thursday against Morrisville and led the offense in their first regular season game of the campaign. If Houghton University wants to give Oswego State their first goal against of the year, look for Cross to be involved in the play.

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Prediction and Final Thoughts

Oswego State heads into the contest on the second leg of a back-to-back while the Highlanders got an extra day off to prepare for their trip to Oswego. The Lakers should be able to repeat their success against Houghton University, but the Highlanders will be a bit more competitive than Oswego State’s season opener. Whoever’s offense gets going in the 1st quarter is most likely the squad that becomes victorious this evening at Laker Turf Stadium.

Prediction: Oswego State 5-1

Photo By Alexis Fragapane | @shotsbyfrags