A tough week for men’s soccer sent the Lakers to last place in the Western side of the SUNYAC conference. A pair of games showcased the team’s ability to compete against strong conference opponents, particularly on the defensive end. Although Oswego came away without a victory, the Lakers kept both games within one goal and continued to fight until the final whistle.
The week started at SUNY Cortland, as the Lakers sought to pick up their first conference victory of the season against a nationally-ranked Red Dragons’ squad. At Holloway Field, the Lakers held the homesquad scoreless through the opening 45 minutes. Goalkeeper Kyle Rose kept Oswego in the game, making multiple impressive saves as Cortland controlled much of the early offensive pressure.
The Lakers continued to battle after halftime, creating opportunities of their own. Oswego’s offense recorded seven shots in the second half, but Cortland goalkeeper Ott Jordan turned away everything the visitors threw at him.
The game’s only goal came in the 59th minute when Cortland’s Owen Brant knifed through the defense with an excellent display of footwork, making his way into the box and striking it past the outstretched hand of Rose. Oswego continued to push for an equalizer, including but could not break through, falling 1-0.
Oswego returned home four days later, welcoming Buffalo State to Laker Turf Stadium for a gritty in-conference test.
The Lakers wasted little time making their mark, as a precise backwards pass from Dylan Manriquez precisely found the foot of Ian Husselbeck, who launched it past goalkeeper Carson Smith from afar. Husselbeck has now recorded five goals on the season, which grants him a tie for fourth place throughout the SUNYAC.
After the Lakers notched the go-ahead goal, Buffalo State answered quickly in the 37th minute. A pass deflection from Oswego led to the feet of Manasseh Turenne, who found himself 1-on-1 with Rose, knocking it off the feet and past the keeper to knot the game up at one goal apiece.
Despite both squads applying pressure in the second half, neither the Lakers nor Bengals were able to take a lead. Buffalo State applied pressure with 14 second-half shots, but Rose continued to make important saves, finishing the match with six saves. Oswego had five shots in the second half and created several opportunities of its own.
The final whistle brought the Lakers their first conference draw of the season, as the teams finished tied 1-1. Buffalo State held the advantage in total shots, 25-8, but Oswego’s defense kept the Bengals from finding a second goal.
After the two matches, Oswego moved to 2-5-2 overall and 0-2-1 in SUNYAC play. The Lakers will look to pick up their first SUNYAC victory as they continue their conference schedule, with a road contest against SUNY Plattsburgh set for Oct. 10 at 1 p.m.
