The Oswego State soccer teams found momentum this week.

The men’s team moved to 1-1-1 through its first three games, led by senior Ian Husselbeck, who has accounted for three of the Lakers’ four goals. Oswego opened its season on the road against Clarkson University, falling 2-0 after a scoreless first half. Clarkson broke through in the 54th minute when Brodie Smith fired a shot past Oswego goalkeeper Kyle Rose.

The Golden Knights controlled possession and outshot the Lakers 16-4 before adding an insurance goal in the closing minutes. Oswego responded in its home opener against SUNY Poly, cruising to a 3-0 victory at Laker Turf.

The Lakers controlled possession early, while left back Aiden Lawrence helped generate opportunities with his physicality and ability to create set pieces. Husselbeck opened the scoring from the penalty spot after being taken down in the box. He struck again later in the first half, finishing a sequence from freshman Jacob Bachrach and Vladimir Lavrynenko to give Oswego a 2-0 halftime advantage.

Freshman Dylan Manriquez added the final goal after Lawrence’s shot deflected off SUNY Poly goalkeeper Tyler Barth. Husselbeck continued his strong start Monday against Utica University, scoring his third goal in two games as the Lakers battled the Pioneers to a 1-1 draw. Oswego will host RPI on Sept. 12 at 2 p.m.

The women’s team also bounced back from a difficult opening stretch, earning its first victory of the season with a 2-1 win over SUNY Geneseo.

“We didn’t have the best results in the first two, but we just used them to learn,” senior forward Kyla Sustad said.

The Lakers began their season with a 3-0 loss to SUNY Brockport before falling 7-0 at Hamilton College four days later. Oswego was limited to four shots against Hamilton, compared with 20 from the Continentals.

“We knew these games were going to be tough games; these are good opponents that we were playing against,” Sustad said.

Oswego turned things around against Geneseo. Defender Emily Ruth opened the scoring on a free kick to give the Lakers their first lead of the season. Geneseo answered in the 14th minute when Ella Yartym scored on a breakaway, sending the teams into halftime tied at one. The Lakers broke the tie in the second half when Luna Catano-Matip received a feed from her sister, Solange Catano-Matip, and found the bottom-left corner off the post.

Oswego’s defense protected the 2-1 advantage over the final 30 minutes to secure its first win of the
season. The women’s team will look to carry that momentum into the SUNY Fredonia Tournament, where it will face Alfred University on Sept. 11 and Utica on Sept. 12.