OSWEGO, NY – Esther Gabriel (Fr., Lancaster, N.Y.) and Lindsey Eggers (Fr., Ridge, N.Y.) scored four goals each to help the Oswego State women’s lacrosse team (7-7, 4-3 SUNYAC) defeat New Paltz (4-9, 0-7 SUNYAC), 12-7, on Tuesday afternoon to remain in the SUNYAC playoff hunt.
New Paltz got on the board first, scoring just 40 seconds in. The Lakers came storming back minutes later, with goals from Gabriel and Eggers, two more from Jayme McCreary (Fr., Waterloo, N.Y.) and one more from Michelle Ruskey (Sr. Deerfield, N.Y.) off a Gabriel assist, to take a 5-1 lead with 16:48 left in the first half.
An Alexa Vitale goal minutes later stopped the Hawks scoring drought, but it was Gabriel again answering, adding two goals with Erannan Shattuck (Fr., Syracuse, N.Y.) assisting the first.
The Hawks managed to find the net once more before Eggers and Courtney Cosentino (Jr., Syracuse, N.Y.) netted goals to send the Lakers into halftime ahead, 9-3.
New Paltz rallied to start the second half, netting two goals minutes apart to cut the Lakers lead to four. However, the momentum changed back in favor of Oswego State when Gabriel intercepted New Paltz goalkeeper Jackie Ulanoff’s clear attempt, and stormed down the field to score her fourth goal of the game.
The Hawks kept the game close late adding two more goals to cut the lead to three, but goalkeeper Nikki Grecco (Jr., Syracuse, N.Y.) made key saves late to keep New Paltz at bay. Eggers later added her third and fourth goals of the game, as the Lakers escaped with a 12-7 victory.
Jackie Ulanoff allowed 12 goals for the Hawks to go along with 20 saves, while her counterpart, Greco, finished the game with nine saves and seven allowed goals.
The win put Oswego State in control of its own post-season destiny, as a win over Oneonta on Saturday will clinch a spot in the SUNYAC playoffs for the Lakers. The game at South Athletic Field starts at 1:30 p.m.
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