The Oswego State women's lacrosse team opened its season with an 8-6 overtime win at Utica College on Sunday afternoon at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. It was the first game for both squads, making the Lakers 1-0 on the year while the Pioneers go to 0-1.
Tied 6-6 at the end of regulation, Oswego and Utica needed extra time to decide a winner, playing another six minutes, which is broken down into two, three-minute periods. Within the first minute of the additional period, Mackenzie Kjerstad scored her second goal of the contest and what would prove to be the game-winner. Kjerstad notched the goal off an assist from Lindsey Eggers.
Erannan Shattuck added an insurance goal with just 31 seconds to play in overtime, giving the Lakers a cushion to secure the victory. Shattuck scored with help from freshman Briana Kimble, which was her second assist of the day.
In her first collegiate game, West Genesee product Angela Ponto earned a win, making eight saves in 66 minutes of action. She also added a team-high six ground balls.
The game was a tale of two halves, as the first period featured back-and-forth action while the final 30 minute of regulation contained two runs. Oswego opened the scoring less than seven minutes into the game on a tally from Esther Gabriel but the Pioneers answered just 3:48 later to knot the game at 1-1. The Lakers responded with Gemma O'Kane's first-career goal at 9:42, but again Utica made it an even score with 3:35 left in the opening half.
Oswego came out of the break ready to regain the lead, and did it in convincing fashion, outscoring the Pioneers 4-1 in the first 21:44 of the second stanza to hold a 6-3 advantage. The Lakers span included back-to-back-to-back goals from O'Kane, Kjerstad and Gabriel over the opening 13:33 of the period.
Utica made quick work to force the game into overtime, however, scoring three unanswered goals to during the final 6:54 to end regulation. That is when the Laker defense stepped up and did not allow a Pioneer shot in overtime while causing three turnovers in the six minutes.
O'Kane, Kjerstad and Gabriel each scored twice while Gabriel added an assist for a Laker-best three-points. Shattuck and Eggers also had two-point days, both finishing with a score and a helper. Also adding to the offensive effort was Kimble and Emily Lange, distributing two assists apiece.
On defense, Kjerstad paced Oswego with four caused turnovers while Ponto was close behind with three. Gabriel, Eggers and Nicole Granteed each chipped in a pair of caused turnovers. Of the Lakers' six draw wins, Gabriel was the only one with more than one, securing two.
Oswego will now take Monday to prepare for Rochester Institute of Technology, heading to Rochester for a 4 p.m. battle on Tuesday.
