The Oswego State women’s soccer team had three games this week. The Lakers opened the Blue Devil Classic with a 4-0 win over Keuka College on Friday at University Stadium, then edged Utica University 1-0 on Saturday to reach 3-0-1 before returning home Tuesday and falling to Hamilton at Laker Turf Stadium in a non-conference matchup.

Against the Keuka Wolves, the Lakers seized control early and never let go. In the 14th minute, forward, Kyla Sustad, broke through with an unassisted finish into the lower left corner.

Less than two minutes later, she drove the attack again, slipping a pass to Brianna Winkler for a two-goal lead. Near the half-hour mark, Olivia Davis intercepted a pass, found Sustad in stride and watched the player cut through everyone and kick a superb right-footed shot inside the left post for 3-0.

Dominating completely, the first half belonged to the Lakers in every phase, with nine more shots than the Wolves and four more corners before the break. Goalkeeper, Paytyn Crane, turned aside the Wolves’ chances and the back line closed down second balls to keep the looks clean.

Any push from the Wolves that could have happened ended two minutes into the second half. Davis pounced on a loose pass, beat the last defender and drove a shot into the side netting for 4-0. The Lakers outshot the Wolves 10-0 after halftime and owned the corners 4-0 in the final 45 minutes.

Sustad finished with two goals and an assist on eight shots, all on frame. Davis added a goal and an assist, Winkler scored her first of the weekend and Crane combined with the defense to allow only three shots as the Lakers maintained their unbeaten record and improved with each passing minute of the game.

Saturday’s meeting with Utica required patience but brought the same outcome. The Lakers controlled the flow, outshooting the Pioneers 12-3 and holding a 6-1 edge in corners. The breakthrough arrived in the 24th minute, when Alison Dimitrijevski slipped a ball into space for Sustad, who finished to the far side for the only goal of the afternoon.

Sustad led with four shots, three on target, while Winkler and Sabrina Schmitt also tested the keeper. Crane made the lone required save to secure the clean sheet, the team’s third shutout in four matches.

The Lakers once again demonstrated their dominance over the weekend, securing back-to-back wins and making a clear statement of intent for the remainder of the season. With eight goals scored across the two matches and another pair of shutouts added to their record, the Lakers proved to be the strongest side in the Blue Devil Classic by controlling possession, creating chances and holding opponents to minimal opportunities.

The strong week followed a conference honor for the goalkeeper, Crane, who was “named SUNYAC Women’s Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week” after a 2-0-1 stretch in which she played nearly 250 minutes, made six saves and posted a .857 save percentage. She enters the new week ranked second in the league in goals allowed average and second in total goals against, having conceded only five this season.

After two wins at the Blue Devil Classic, the Lakers returned to Laker Turf Stadium on Tuesday and fell 3-1 to Hamilton in nonconference play. The Continentals went ahead late in the first half, but Oswego answered early in the second. However, two quick goals down the stretch ultimately decided the game.

Oswego set up in a 4-1-2-1-2 diamond with the ball and shifted into a 4-3-1-2 when defending, pressing from the opening kickoff with a long ball routine designed to force Hamilton into its end. The Continentals pushed heavily down their right through No. 20, Abby Douglas and No. 10, Maddie Ledbury, who used size and pace to pin the Lakers back.

Oswego adjusted before halftime by dropping a forward to the left side to track back and crowd that channel, defending with more numbers behind the ball and leaving two high as outlets.

The breakthrough still came for Hamilton in the 31st minute when a foul in the box set up a penalty. Ledbury converted to give the visitors a 1-0 lead at the half.

The Lakers raised the tempo after the break. Kayla Baca came on and changed the feel of the match, pressing higher, connecting passes through midfield and helping spring transition runs. The equalizer arrived in the 63rd minute on a clean counter as Amber McDermott slid a through ball to Luna Catano, who finished with support from Kyla Sustad in the build-up to make it 1-1.

Hamilton answered late. In the 80th minute, Diana Baffor pounced on a rebound and curled a finish into the top corner. Less than a minute later, Baffor turned provider and slipped Isabel Harvey in on a quick break for 3-1, closing the door on the Lakers’ comeback.

Oswego women’s soccer will be back in action Saturday, Sept. 13, with a non-conference matchup against St. Lawrence University. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Laker Turf Stadium.