Women's Soccer Wins Third Straight

Freshman Alyssa Dean came off the bench to score three goals as Oswego State crushed Cobleskill (4-3) 9-1 on a rain-soaked Laker Field this afternoon.  The Lakers (5-3) have now won three straight games by a combined score of 21-2.  They will look to move up the SUNYAC standings Friday when they visit Potsdam (7-2-1, 0-2).  WNYO will be on the air at 5 p.m. that afternoon with Greene's Game Night at 5 p.m. and will provide score updates.

Finally Fired

The Oakland Raiders have just fired coach Lane Kiffin after a 1-3 start to the 2008 season. Syracuse football fans have been monitoring that situation closely after this post by The Post-Standard's Donnie Webb.

Old Friend Wins Fantasy Baseball Championship

Former WTOP-10 sports director and WNYO sports talkshow host, Pat Morgan, polished off his second fantasy baseball championship in his sixth year of being a member of "RobbieKFantasy" on Sunday. The victory earns him a hefty purse of over $1,300.

Morgan was the wire-to-wire leader, but it did not come easy. He had a strong first two months before injuries put the year in jeopardy around the All-Star Break. However, his strong August earned gave him the cushion he needed to coast home.

Morgan's team name, "The Morgan Rules", was a parody of the 1988-1991 Detroit Pistons' "Jordan Rules." He called himself this because several rules were created before this season in hopes of eliminating advantages the league felt he had. Therefore, Morgan's performance this year should validate his superior fantasy knowledge to the rest of the league.

Morgan's first title came in 2005 when he blew out the competition by 500 points over the second place finisher and by more than a 1,000 points over everyone else. He has also finished second on three occasions in 2004, 2006 and 2007. He joined the league in 2003 when he finished eighth.

Field Hockey Snaps Five Game Skid

Freshman Kelly Collins earned her second multi-goal game of the season to push Oswego State past Oneonta 2-1 Saturday at Laker Field. The Lakers (2-7, 2-2) held the lead for more than 69 minutes as they earned their first victory over Oneonta (4-4, 1-2) since 2001. Oswego State will play a pair of non-conference road games this week before returning home Oct. 9 to face Brockport (5-5, 1-2).

Playing Catch Up (Again)

Let's see what we missed in Laker Land this week:

VOLLEYBALL: Oswego State (8-12) earned in three-game sweep of Utica Wednesday night at The Z. Frosh Jesi Isgro served up four aces in the victory. The Lakers return to action Wednesday, Oct. 1 when they visit Keuka.

FIELD HOCKEY: Nationally ranked Cortland won the Battle for the Dragon Sword (pictured) for the ninth consecutive season, shutting out the Lakers 6-0. Next up for Oswego State (1-7) is a home game against Oneonta (game in progress).

SOCCER: Both the men and women evened their SUNYAC record at 1-1 with a win over Morrisville. Felipe Cavalcanti led the men (3-4 overall) with two goals in their 3-1 victory on the road while the women (4-3 overall) outshot the Mustangs 56-0 in a 6-0 home win.

Gesundheit!

We're at the dome covering SU football again.  It's not quite as unbearable as one (or many) may have predicted.  Frosh wideout Van Chew (pictured playing high school football in New Hampshire) has just made a terrific catch over a Pitt defender in the end zone to give the 'Cuse a 24-13 with 12:30 left in the third quarter.

Ryan Maloney

Garrow Beats Defending SUNYAC Champ Lim

Oswego State junior Tiarra Garrow defeated defending SUNYAC No. 1 singles champ Dana Lim Friday when Lim was forced to retire due to injury.  Garrow held a 4-1 lead in the first set at the time of Lim's forfeit.  Garrow is now 7-0 as a No. 1 single in her first season with the Lakers.  Garrow's victory was the line bright spot in the Lakers' 8-1 loss to New Paltz.

Ryan Maloney

Hgh School Football: Oswego 40 Fowler 20

Junior Damian Williams ran for 236 yards and four touchdowns as Oswego (3-1) beat Fowler (2-2) 40-20 Friday night for their third straight victory.  The win rounded out a perfect three-game home stand for the Bucs who are in the midst of the program's longest win streak in more than 20 years.  Williams has been the focal point of the Bucs offense, rushing for 581 yards in four games.

Ryan Maloney

Garrow Improves to 6-0

The women's tennis team lost yet again (this time to Cortland), but number one singles player Tiarra Garrow won in straight sets to improve to 6-0 on the season.

The New Prize

The annual WNYO vs. WTOP flag football game is fast approaching, and a new prize has been added to the pot. Not only will thi year' winner claim the storied Golden Pitcher, but they will also earn the SUNY Oswego Broadcast Media Championship.

Women's Soccer Stops Skid At Three

The Oswego State women's soccer team beat SUNYIT 6-1 today at Laker Field.  Sophomore goalkeeper Toby Klein had a shutout for 89:59 before allowing a goal to SUNYIT's Jane Burroughs with one second remaining.

Lakers Junior Tricia Sullivan scored three consecutive goals in the first half and, with the game easily in hand, did not play in the second.  Her first goal turned out to be the game winner.

The Lakers return to conference play Wednesday when they host Morrisville at 4 p.m.

Unbeaten Garrow Faces Defending SUNYAC Champ Lim Friday

The women's tennis team travels to SUNY New Paltz Friday. That means the Lakers' unbeaten No. 1 single Tiarra Garrow (5-0) will square off with defending SUNYAC No. 1 single champion Dana Lim (5-0).

Garrow was eliminated in the semi-finals of last year's conference tournament by Geneseo's Erika Pumple. Pumple went on to lose to Lim in the finals.

Learn about Garrow's inspiring story in this week's edition of The Oswegonian (click the image on the right to read).

Tears In Heaven

Matt Armstrong

Review of 58th Sunoco Race of Champions at Oswego Speedway

Oswego Speedway hosts the Race of Champions every season. The race, usually held in the middle of September has drivers come in from all over and compete at the 5/8th mile "Steel Palace". The racing did not dissapoint with 228 cars signed in during the three day event.

The big race of the weekend was the 200 lap race for the Race of Champions Modified Tour. Jan Leaty led the first 106 laps until he struck the turn two wall. Then Pete Brittian took the lead and led until lap 156 when he went to the pits for his scheduled pit stop. As a result, Mike Leaty took advantage and led until Tony Hirschman took the lead with nine laps to go. Hirschman went on and won the race and the prize money well over $15,000 to the winner.

Note: The results are the top 5 in each race

The Resuts of the 58th Annual Race of Champions Weekend

Modifieds: Tony Hirschman (48), Erick Rudolph (45), Tony Hanbury (42), Rusty Smith (34), Earl Paules (8)

Late Models: Todd Hoddick (49), Tommy Close (3), Dave Rigan (24), Lee Gill (7), Josh John (69)

Super Stocks: Mike Nichols (72), Frank Reakes (14), Jeff Merritt (49), Chris Daugherty (45), David MilBrand (12)

SST Modifieds: Tony Hanbury (42), Jeff Hammond (9), Tom McGrath (12), Kevin Timmerman (17), Zane Zeiner (76)

Oswego Limited Supermodifieds: David Gruel (50), Mike Bond (26), David Cliff (06), Kevin Knopp (04), Brian Sobus (79)

Factory/Street Stocks: Tom Casabrande (17), Matt Jurek (5), Richard Petey (43), John Hewson Jr (58), Mark Spencer Jr (57)

Mini Stocks: Jason Bringham (4), Tim Dunn (96t), Scott Schafer (67), Randy Schlenker (7), Mike Stringer (23)

Steven Petty

NCAA Football: Syracuse 30 Northeastern 21

The Orange held on for the victory as Doug Hogue and Curtis Brinkley both rushed for over 100 yards.  Aftet the game, Greg Robinson gave a short lecture to the media about giving the other team credit.  Click below to hear it.

Boomp3.com

Field Hockey: Morrisville Tops Lakers In Stroke-Off

The Morrisville Mustangs (1-5, 1-0) earned their first-ever SUNYAC victory in field hockey with a 2-1 stroke-off  defeat of Oswego State (1-6, 1-1).  The Lakers have now dropped four straight and were kncoked from their perch atop the conference standings.  

The Mustangs now find themselves in a three-way tie for first place with Brockport and Geneseo.  National powerhouse Cortland has yet to play their conference opener.  They'll do so Wednesday afternoon when they visit Laker Field at 4 p.m. in the annual Battle For The Dragon Sword.  The Lakers have never won the sword in the eight years that the teams have competed for it.

From Cortland's athletics site:

The winner's prize is an actual three-foot long Samurai-style sword with a red and white metallic sheath, a dragon's head handle and a dragon's wing and talon making up the hand guard. It was donated in 2000 by Oswego graduated Michael and Kimberlee (Bennett) Champitto as a trophy for the annual Cortland-Oswego field hockey winner.

Women's Tennis Loses Again But Garrow Still Perfect

Fredonia topped Oswego State 5-4 in SUNYAC action today.  The host Blue Devils were all square with the Lakers after the first eight matches of the day.  That meant the decision of the match-up was riding squarely on the shoulders of Fredonia sophomore Calee Prindle and Oswego State junior Christine Burkhardt.

Burkhardt took the first set in a tie-breaker to give the Lakers the early advantage.  However, Prindle won the second set in convincing fashion, 6-2.  The third and deciding set proved to be much closer, but Prindle outlasted Burkhardt for the 7-5 victory, handing the Lakers their second-straight one-match loss.

Laker junior Tiarra Garrow (pictured) remained unbeaten (5-0) in No. 1 singles with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Anne Norris.  Oswego State senior Sarahjeane Marhone remained unbeaten (5-0) in No. 5 singles with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-0 win over Megan Zarzycki.

Garrow is in search of her second SUNYAC singles title this season.  She won the conference championship as a freshman No. 3 single and was a semi-finalist as a sophomore No. 1 single.  Both feats were accomplished while Garrow was attending SUNY Plattsburgh, this is her first year as a Laker.  Her inspiring story can be found on the back page of this week's Oswegonian.

Ryan Maloney

Women's Soccer: Laker comeback Bid Falls Short

The Oswego State Lakers fell just short of their bid to upset SUNYAC powerhouse Oneonta, losing 4-2 today at Laker Field.

The Red Dragons scored the first three goals of the game and led 3-0 with less than 20 minutes to play in the second half. Laker junior Tricia Sullivan found the back of the net in the 74th minute to cut the Red Dragon lead to 3-1. Sophomore Kelly Morritt then slashed the lead to one with her first collegiate goal at the 79 minute mark on a direct kick.

But that was as close as the Lakers would get as Oneonta's Brittney Reilly (pictured) scored with less than five minutes remaining to account for the final score. Oneonta improves to 4-2 (1-0) with the win while the Lakers have now lost three straight and sit at 2-3 (0-1).

Ryan Maloney

NCAA Football: Uh Oh

Don't look now, but Northeastern has cut the Syracuse lead to 27-21 after a touchdown run by Alex Broomfield.  The Orange are about to receive the kickoff with 6:41 left in regulation.

NCAA Football: Syracuse 24 Northeastern 14 4th Quarter

The Syracuse Orange have taken a 24-7 lead after Curtis Brinkley found the end zone (pictured) for the first time today.  Seconds after I began writing this post, Northeastern struck back on 54-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Orio to Chris Plum.  The Orange lead now stands at 24-14.

Ryan Maloney

Men's Soccer: Oneonta Romps Lakers

The Oneonta Red Dragons (5-1, 1-0) stretched their SUNYAC winning streak to 12 after a 5-1 thrashing of Oswego State (2-4, 0-1) today at Red Dragon Soccer Field.  A pair of sophomores stole the show for Oneonta, as Danny Bruh (pictured) netted two goals and Gary Laronde scored the game-winner three minutes into the second half.

Oneonta is in their third season of Division III play after reclassifying from Division I.  They ran the table last year in their first full season of SUNYAC play since their return.  This is the first season that the Red Dragons will be eligible for the NCAA tournament.

For the Lakers, today marked their second straight loss.  They have lost consecutive games on two seperate occasions and will look to break their current streak Wednesday afternoon when they visit Morrisville.

Ryan Maloney

Laker Volleyball Drops Pair

The Oswego State volleyball team dropped a pair of matches at today's SUNYAC West pool play at The Z.  Fredonia (pictured), who finished the weekend with a 5-0 record and never dropped a game, made quick work of the Lakers in the first game.  Geneseo then earned their second victory of the day with a four-game win over Oswego State.

Overall, the Lakers dropped three of five on the weekend and are in fourth place in the SUNYAC West standings.  They won't have a chance to advance their place in the division until Oct. 16 when pool play resumes at Buffalo State.  Oswego State returns to action Wednesday night when they host Utica at 7 p.m.

NCAA Football: Syracuse 7 Northeastern 0 1st Q

Sophomore Doug Hogue went ten yards for his first score of the season to give the 'Cuse a 7-0 lead with 7:14 remining in the first quarter.  The Orange drive nearly stalled when Curtis Brinkley fumbled the ball at the Northeastern 20 (pictured), but Syracuse recovered.

Chiefs Go National

The Syracuse Chiefs baseball club has just announced that they are the new Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.  The move signals the end of a 31-year partnership between the Chiefs and Toronto Blue Jays.

From The Post-Standard's Matt Michael:

With the Chiefs-Nationals' marriage, the game of musical chairs between major league and Triple-A teams is nearly over. The New York Mets, who had been Syracuse's No. 1 choice, are going to Buffalo, the Cleveland Indians to Columbus, and the Los Angeles Dodgers to Albuquerque.

High School Football: Oswego 35 Mexico 18

The Oswego Bucs are now above .500 after beating Mexico 35-18 Friday night at Joe Wilbur Field.  Damian Williams (pictured in white jersey) ran for 156 yards and three scores to follow up the 138 yard performance he had a week ago.  He is among the section leaders for rushing yards on the season with 343.

The Bucs now sit in second place of the Class A American division with a record of 2-1.  They trail East Syracuse-Minoa and Cortland who are both 3-0 overall with a division record of 2-0.  ES-M beat Oswego 42-6 in the season opener for both teams on Sept. 5.

Volleyball Wins, Leads Conference

Laker volleyball got back in the win column with a straight-sets victory over Morrisville (4-8) Thursday night. Oswego State (6-9) is hosting SUNYAC West pool play this weekend to begin the 2008 conference schedule. They'll face Brockport (5-10) and Buffalo State (4-10) today at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Plattsburgh Rink Renovation Nears Completion

Josh Colligan of SUNY Plattsburgh's Cardinal Points student newspaper has an update on the ongoing renovation of Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena. Must be nice to have a student newspaper with a website.

Fall Sports Updates

We've fallen behind on our updates as classes have begun and our workload has increased. Let's look in on our fall teams to see how they're doing:

FIELD HOCKEY (1-5, 1-0)

The girls dropped three straight games after winning their conference opener on Sept. 6. However, all three losses were out of conference and the Lakers still sit atop of the SUNYAC. They'll resume conference play tomorrow when they visit Morrisville (0-5). The annual battle for the dragon sword against Cortland (3-1) takes place Wednesday at Laker Field. Oswego State has already equaled their conference victory total from the past three seasons combined.

VOLLEYBALL (5-9)
The Lakers are looking to avoid consecutive losing seasons, but are off to a rough start. After dropping three of four at the season-opening Red Dragon Invitational in Oneonta (four of four according to the official site of the event, but Oswego.edu/athletics reported 1-3, we'll take the W), Oswego State split their next eight matches before dropping two straight. Tonight, the Lakers host SUNYAC West pool play and are currently playing Morrisville (4-7).

WOMEN'S TENNIS (1-3)
The team has struggled, but junior Tiarra Garrow is unbeaten in singles action (4-0). Her inspirational story will appear in tomorrow's Oswegonian. The Lakers are 0-2 in SUNYAC play and will look to avoid losing consecutive events tomorrow when they visit Fredonia (2-5).





WOMEN'S SOCCER (2-2)
After winning their season opener for the first time since 2005, the Lakers beat Alvernia to leave the Cortland Invitational with a perfect 2-0 start to the season. Oswego State will open conference play tomorrow at 1 p.m. when they face Oneonta.





MEN'S SOCCER (2-3)
Oswego State came out of the season opening Flower City Invitational with an 0-2 record. However, they rebounded with shutout victories over Nazareth and Alfred before falling to unbeaten Hamilton (4-0.) The Lakers open conference play tomorrow when they visit Oneonta at 1 p.m.




Ryan Maloney

Ryan Scott At Sabres Camp

Former Oswego State goaltender Ryan Scott ('08) is in camp with the Buffalo Sabres this week.  He is one of six goaltenders competing for a spot on the team.

Here is the Sabres' camp schedule:

Fri., Sept. 19: Veterans report at HSBC Arena, 9 a.m.-Noon

Sat., Sept. 20: On-ice at HSBC Arena, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sun., Sept. 21: On-ice at HSBC Arena, 9 a.m.-Noon

Mon., Sept. 22: Buffalo @ Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 23: Buffalo vs. Montreal at Roberval, Que., 7 p.m.

Wed., Sept. 24: On-ice at HSBC Arena, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Thu., Sept. 25: On-ice at HSBC Arena, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 26: On-ice at HSBC Arena, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 27: Toronto @ Buffalo, 7 p.m.

Sun., Sept. 28: Minnesota @ Buffalo, 7 p.m.

Thanks to former WNYO/WTOP announcer Adam Evans for the tip.

"The Express" World Premeire

Syracuse became tinsel town on the corner of S. Jefferson and S. Salina last night at 6 p.m. to host the world premeire of "The Express". The movie that follows the life journey of SU legend Ernie Davis (who was the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy) stars Dennis Quaid (who plays legendary coach Ben Schwartzwalder) and Rob Brown(who plays Ernie Davis).

In addition to the acting talent were some of SU's Greatest Alumni, which included: Jim Brown, Art Monk, Floyd Little, Bob Costas, Mike Tirico and Don McPherson. Downtown Syracuse had the hussle and bustle of cities like New York City and L.A., and residents were beaming with joy and excitement.

Even though a light rain fell for a majority of the evening it didn't dampen the moods of those Syracusans who came out to see this once in a lifetime event. (Pictured is Dennis Quaid arriving at the Landmark, by Jared Crast) (Look for a full article next Friday in The Oswegonian)

Jared Crast

Jock Journal: Women's Soccer Entry No. 2

The Oswego State women's soccer team lost the home opener yesterday against Saint Lawrence, 1-0. We played a good game though, that's for sure. We played tough and worked hard to hold off their strong offense, but we just weren't able to retaliate and put a goal of our own into the back of the net.

Practice had been going well throughout the week and we really focused on corner kicks, seeing as in two of their games, they scored four goals off of corners. We wanted to make sure they didn't score that way. They didn't. Our connecting passes were getting even better and our fitness levels were increasing...

Except mine.

On Tuesday, two days before the big game, we were doing fitness at the end of practice-sprinting x number of yards down and back- when I planted my left foot wrong. I went down pretty quick and pretty hard-my body went one way and my knee stayed put. Trainer thinks I tore my acl and there's possibly some mcl and miniscus damage as well. I have some doc appts coming up, so I'll keep you posted on that. For now, I'm on the sidelines...Boo.

Anyway, back to the game. Our heads were in it and everyone was excited to play the first home game. Amazing warm up tracks were kickin in the locker room and presents were given throughout the team from secret "locker buddies." Set to go, we got serious and headed out to the field to warm up and show off our A-game.

The game was in a dead-lock for the entire first half. 50-50 balls went back and forth throughout the game and both teams shared possession for the most part. We ended the half at 0-0 and overall, we were happy with the way we played. But we were hungry for a goal.

Apparently, Saint Lawrence was craving that goal just a little bit more.

Rookie Kristina Peso outran two of our defenders and was able to slip a shot past Toby 65:23 into the game. There's much to say to our defense though, because the Saints had 14 shots on us while we had a measly two, and only one of their shots went in.

We had a few scoring opportunites at the end of the game and to be frank, we were robbed of a penalty kick in the last ten minutes of the game. One of the Saints defenders slapped a ball back down on the bounce with her forearm right in front of the ref. The foul went uncalled, which would have given us a penalty shot because the defender committed the foul in the box. The ref even admitted that she made the foul, but for some reason it didn't qualify as a handball. I still can't fathom the concept, so I won't bother trying to make you understand it.

Regardless of all that, we had two or three more scoring opportunities in the remaining minutes. Unfortunately, we weren't able to capitalize on them. The clock ran out and we came out with a loss. It was a tough blow to take, but I'm confident that we'll bounce back.

Next up: Away game at Hamilton on Saturday at 3 p.m. Hopefully we get some travelers to come watch.

Samantha Shelton, #00
Goalkeeper
Women's Soccer

Karma

As posted eadrlier, Bengals wide-out Chad Johnson has changed his last name leagally in a court of law to "Ocho-Cinco". While the team has recognized this name change on its website and will be allowing him to wear the ludicous surname on his back, Reebok is not being as nice.

The company that produces and sells a majority of NFL player jerseys, is asking that Ocho-Psycho pay the company $4 million, the cost to pull all the already made C.Johnson jerseys from the shelf and re-print new ones reading the ridiculous name.

Oh well.. here'a a classic Chad Johson qoute to make us all feel better.

"There are two things for Brother Harris this week. The bad thing is, he has to cover me. The good is, he can save 15 percent by switching his insurance to Geico"

-Matt Armstrong

Women's Volleyball Drops Home Opener

The Oswego State Volleyball team suffered a loss against Roberts Wesleyan last night. The game was suppost to be played at Laker Hall but was moved to Lee Hall due to floor refinishing at Max Ziel Gymnasium.

The Lakers were outmatched and outplayed in a 25-16, 25-17, 25-16 loss. The freshman trio of Jessica Isgro (Brockport), Margaret Thorpe (Fulton/G. Ray Bodley), and Katie VanKessel (Millbrook) each tallied four kills to lead the Oswego offense. VanKessel, also dished out 14 assists. Senior co-captains Amanda Cipriano (Solvay) and Beth Widzinski (Amherst/Willliamsville North) tallied 15 and 17 digs, respectively.

The Lakers will have only two days to regroup before taking part in their third straight weekend tournament, traveling to Schenectady to play in the Union College Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12-13. Their next home match, on a newly refurbished floor at Laker Hall, will come on Tuesday, Sept. 16 when they face St. John Fisher College at 7:00 p.m.

Steven Petty

Shawne Merriman Out for Season

After a loss in week 1 of the NFL season to the Seattle Seahawks, San Diego Chargers Pro Bowl lineback Shawne Merriman decides he will undergo surgery on his damaged knee. Merriman was the anchor of the highly ranked Chargers defense who will now have to start a 2nd year player in his spot.

Merriman joins New England Patriots quaterback Tom Brady of the list of pro-bowlers to go down in the kickoff week of this NFL season. With the leaders of the two powerhouse AFC teams gone for the season, I would say that the West is open to any contender.

Chris Chadwick

D-D-D DO Ya Have it?

The London Olympic comitte has released the logo their bid for the 2012 Olympic games. Personally I think it looks like the Agro Crag.

Introducing "Jock Journal": Samantha Shelton

Jock Journal is a fist-hand account from an Oswego State student-athlete. First up, Samantha Shelton from the undefeated women's soccer team. Shelton is a first-year goalkeeper and the junior sports editor for The Oswegonian student newspaper. She is number double zero in your program. Her words below:

So we had our first two games this weekend at the Cortland Classic and we came out on top for both of them...Just from that, I'd sum it up to a pretty amazing weekend.

The bus ride on the way up was really relaxing. It's only an hour and a half ride, so we shared some laughs at the movie Knocked Up and then listened to some tunes to get pumped up. We all basically kept to ourselves on the ride up and mentally prepared for the game.

Then it was game time. Music was played in the locker room the whole time and various girls busted out some dance moves. Nothing like some hip hop and rap to get you going for a game.

The game went really well and we did a great job of showing people what our team is all about this year. No more losing records for us! We played a defensive game for the first 10 minutes so we could get rid of those opening-game jitters and settle into our pace and strategy. After that, we maintained control. Possession was the name of our game and our connecting passes were on the entire time. Rutgers-Camden was the first to find the back of the net though. It was a shmuck goal, one made off a slight error that can only be described as unlucky for us. Toby, our starting goalkeeper, made a great diving save, but due to the wet grass, wasn't able to hang onto it after the rebound off her body. Kate Campbell was there for the opposing team and knocked it in off the rebound.

We were able to tie it up four minutes later though, so no worries there. Brooke Sherman flighted a ball into the eighteen and Rachel Maul headed it toward the goal. Their goalkeeper made the save but fell backward into the goal, clearing the goal line. Testament to the strength of Rachel's head, I guess.

We basically shoved the ball down their throats in the second half. We had complete control of the game and the pace at which we played it. Tricia Sullivan scored the game-winning goal, with a beautiful ball from Alyssa Dean. Alyssa was up against two defenders, picked up her head and made a light pass to Tricia a few yards away on the wing. Tricia drilled it to the far post, hit the post and watched the ball skim across the goal, right behind the line. Some call it luck, I would just say skill.

Cortland was great and allowed us to stay on campus for a few hours and take over their gazebo for a cook out with family and friends who came to watch the game. Shout out to a few of the guys on the lacrosse team who came to support us! They got some good food out of it. Then it was time to head back to the hotel, where we all just vegged out, played games, acted goofy in the pool and most of all, slept. We all found out where our comfort zones lie too with two to a bed, four to a room. Some people really like cuddling, is all I'll say. =)


Sunday was a little nerve-wracking because we played horribly the first half against Alvernia. Connecting passes were not being made and we were moving at a slow pace. A testament to us should be made though, because although we weren't playing at our best level, we were still running the game. We made plenty of shots on goal, we just weren't finishing them. We were too spaced out and not playing a smart game, yet it was still clear that we were the better team.

The first half ended with Alvernia leading, 1-0. They had scored off of a corner kick that Kelly Reilly was able to knock in at the far post. We came out in the second half with a vengeance, playing much better ball and driving to the net more. Shots kept being made, but goals weren't being converted though. Finally, in the last 20 minutes, insurance came. Kheetah "Cheetah" Koutouan tied the game with a lofting shot over the goalkeeper's head. Three more goals came in quick succession later, from Leah Paige, Alyssa Dean and Ana Jurcack. It was safe to say that we had secured the game after that.

Overall, it was a great opening weekend. We played hard, showed our stuff and won both games. And as coach said, nobody got into trouble off the field...which is always a good sign.

Next up, first home game on Thursday against Saint Lawrence at 4 p.m. Come watch!

Samantha Shelton, #00
Goalkeeper
Women's Soccer

Seven Yards Per Carry

Former Onondaga High School football star Mike Hart just notched his first NFL touch. The Colts rookie ran seven yards on his sole carry in a 29-13 loss to Chicago. Hart was drafted by Indianapolis in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft after becoming the University of Michigan's all-time leading rusher.

DONE-ZO

It'll be awful hard to fetch Gisele Bundchen's herbal tea on crutches.

Volleyball Manages Split at Potsdam

The Oswego State volleyball team came away from this weekend's Victory Promotions Tournament in Potsdam, N.Y. with a 2-2 record. The Lakers (2-6) began play Friday with a straight-sets loss to eventual tourney champ Clarkson (6-2). Oswego State then evened their record on the day when they easily defeated Regis College 25-13, 25-16, 25-13.

St. Lawrence (7-1) began Saturday's action by earning their second straight-set win over Oswego State in as many weekends. The Lakers finished out their schedule with a 3-1 victory over Buffalo State (2-6). Amanda Cipriano (pictured) was the only Laker picked for the All-Tournament team.

Field Hockey in First; Men's Soccer Nips Naz

The Oswego State field hockey team (1-2) defeated New Paltz (0-2) by a score of 5-2 Saturday at Alumni Field in the 2008 SUNYAC opener. Today marked the Lakers' first win over the Hawks since Oct. 19, 2002. This also marks the second straight season in which Oswego State has won their conference opener to start the season in first place.

In other Saturday action, men's soccer (1-2) shut out Nazareth (1-2) 1-0. Junior midfielder Chris Carra scored the deciding goal in the first half and sophomore goalkeeper Marcus LaRobardiere earned the win in his first career start in net. The Lakers beat Nazareth for the first time since Oct. 6, 2004 and are now 4-9-2 all-time against the Golden Flyers.

Could It Get Any Worse?

Jared Crast is one of our new contributors at WNYOsport.com. He is senior at SUNY Oswego majoring in Adolescence Education. He is also a regular contributor to "The Oswegonian" campus newspaper.

Well folks, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Syracuse Orange just lost to the Akron Zips, 42-28. Now let that sentence sink in. Now take a deep breath, and now exhale. Yes, you read that right, the Orange lost their home opener to the MAC's cellar dweller. The Orange are now 0-2 on the season, and can look ahead to facing off against Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions next week. It will be the first matchup between the two schools since the late '80's.

The only bright spots in this game were the performances by running back Curtis Brinkley, and quarterback Cameron Dantley (the son of Basketball Hall of Famer Adrian Dantley). The pourous defense that prevented any success last year is back, and will likely not get any better. It looks like Orange fans are going to be in for a long season.

Jared Crast