As soccer season approaches, the Oswego State men’s team is looking to make a massive difference in its play. The Lakers went 3-7-6 (2-4-3 SUNYAC) in 2025, and now seek a bid to the SUNYAC championship game for the first time since 2019. 

Coming off of last season’s aforementioned three-win effort, goalkeeper Kyle Rose is motivated to reverse the narrative surrounding his squad.

“We’re kind of low in the rankings going into this year – I think people are doubting us. I’m excited to show people and teams who we are and show them where we’re going.” Rose said.

Head Coach Dan Kane, entering his ninth season at the helm, references that Rose and company have been paying their dues in anticipation of a turnaround.

“The guys have been putting in work all spring and summer. Our fitness levels are really good and the guys are ready and excited,” Kane explained. 

The Lakers come into this season with a mix of youth and veteran leadership, as nine brand new faces hit campus while three seniors are set to return for their final efforts in the green and yellow.

Defender Ian Husselbeck, a 10-game starter who notched four points with two goals last year, is among the notable returners. Husselbeck builds on Kane’s point, adding that his teammates have been getting into the proper physical state for this season. 

“Coming into last fall, we didn’t have as many fit guys. This year, everyone’s in much better shape, so that’s definitely a plus,” Husselbeck said. 

Husselbeck also mentioned that the freshmen have been looking “very solid” thus far, giving the Laker faithful promise in their young core. One of the most noteworthy of those offseason additions is winger Jacob Bachrach, who connected on 13 goals and assists each in his senior season with Calhoun High School, helping the team reach a record of 12-0-1. One of Bachrach’s top traits is his elite quickness, which allows him to speed past defenders and navigate the box with ease.

Bachrach will be able to learn from center back Rowan King, who enters his second year under the teachings of Kane. With the departure of dual-threats Tajay Ellis and Cerixey Lindsay, an increased offensive role should open up for King, who presents himself as a physical aerial threat with precise defensive positioning at a height of 6-foot-4. 

Another returner is midfielder Brayden Conley, who logged two appearances in 2025 before suffering an ACL injury that forced him to miss the remainder of his freshman season. Despite the setback, Conley remains as a versatile midfielder who can use his 6-foot-2 profile to shield the backline and disrupt opposing attacks. 

The aforementioned young core has already gained experience at Laker Turf, as they took on Hobart in a scrimmage on Aug. 25, emerging victorious in a 2-0 shutout. 

The experienced Husselbeck enjoyed what he saw in the team’s friendly matchup, against a Statesman group that reached the 2025 NCAA Division III championship.

“We had two nice goals, which makes us feel more confident. Hobart is a really good team, so it was good to test ourselves,” Husselbeck said.

The Lakers dive head-first into the 2026 campaign with 10 total freshmen on the roster, which prompts Kane to look for a drastic change from last year’s difficult season. 

 “I told the new guys when they committed – and over the summer – that when they got here for preseason, we were going to need them. They’re going to have to step up and help us.” Kane explained.

The newcomers will have a chance to do so in their first outing of the season, which takes place on Sep. 1 at Clarkson University, a squad that the Lakers tied with, 0-0, in their 2025 opener. 

Looking ahead, the team’s home opener, and simultaneously their first non-conference game, comes against SUNY Poly on Sep. 4 at 4 p.m. The Lakers are victors of 28 straight over the Wildcats, with their most recent victory coming on Sep. 11, 2019, in a dominant 5-0 shutout. 

Other matchups to circle on the calendar include Utica (9/7), Rochester (9/23), nationally-ranked Cortland (10/3), Buffalo State (10/7), Plattsburgh (10/10) and Alfred State (10/21). The Lakers close out the regular season at SUNY Potsdam on Oct. 24, before SUNYAC tournament play, which has undergone a new format for the 2026 season, begins a week later.

Following a down year, Kane is rejuvenated about the program’s direction for this upcoming season, and holds higher expectations than he did in 2025.

“We’ve talked about it before: You can learn to win, but you have to learn how to not lose – and I’m really excited about that,” Kane said. “I think the guys are starting to realize that if you don’t beat yourself, then you’re going to give yourself a lot of chances to win games.”