The Oswego State field hockey held off a late charge by Houghton College to win its season opener 2-1 on Saturday in Oswego.
Kelly Collins (So., Fairport, N.Y.) and Alyssa Hare (Fr., Middleport, N.Y.) put the Lakers ahead 2-0 with 11 minutes remaining before the Highlanders scored with three minutes left to play. Houghton had a scoring opportunity as time expired, but the shot went wide of the net to give Oswego State the victory.
The Lakers controlled play in the first half, but managed to get few shots through the Highlander defensive unit to goaltender Brianna Dawson. However, Oswego State struck at 15:11 when Kelly Collins received a pass in front of the net from Katie Mazuchowski (So., Tonawanda, N.Y.). Collins was able to pound the ball past Dawson for her first goal of the season. The score stayed at 1-0 in favor of the Lakers at halftime.
Head coach Brandi Ostrander’s squad added to its lead at the 58:53 mark when Alyssa Hare scored her first collegiate goal with Collins being awarded an assist. As time began to dwindle, Houghton turned up the intensity forcing the Lakers to play deep in their defensive zone as the Highlanders were awarded three corners in a minute span. It was not until the third corner that Houghton capitalized when Rachel Stefanski snuck the ball past goaltender Leigh Rusyn (Fr., Liverpool, N.Y) after a scramble in front of the net at 66:59. The Highlanders maintained their pressure for the duration of the contest, but were unable to tie the score when a shot by Jennifer Huyett went wide of the net.
Oswego State moved to 1-0, while Houghton fell to 1-2 overall. The Lakers will next face William Smith on the road on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
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