Oswego Mens Lacrosse senior day spotlights.

  The seniors weren’t just playing a game yesterday. They were closing a chapter years in the making, where every ground ball, every hit, and every goal led to this final walk off their home field. Blood, sweat, and tears over four years of college lacrosse, all for the one game. 

Senior day.

The Oswego Men’s Lacrosse team’s senior day was set for April 10th as they hosted SUNY Canton at the Laker Turf Stadium. Emotions were running high for all players, parents, and coaches. 

Although Coach Andrew Daly for the Lakers didn’t recruit this class of seniors, he was still their first coach at Oswego and says that “these are my guys” as well as “I am very proud of the men that they have become, not just on the field but off the field as well.” 

As game time came closer and closer, the family came down the field for a ceremony to honor all 10 of the Lakers’ seniors. Coach Daly says I hope excitement if you look at today’s practice its all compete to get back after each other. Coming off two losses, sometimes you have to take a step back and remember why you love the sport so much.”

All players got their own poster of themselves over the years, as well as a photo with their family and stats announced to the crowd. 

The Lakers were ready for the game as the clock hit zero, and they took the field. As the game whistle blew, the Lakers got right to work in the first quarter, absolutely dominating in every category, going up 14-1 in the first quarter with goals from seniors Austin Sroda, Trey Jones, Hayden Coney, Ryan Rogers, as well as Colton Maher and Seamus Hand on the defensive side, holding down the defense and only allowing 1 goal in the first.

The Lakers proceeded to continue dominating, going into the second quarter with Rogers getting his first career hat trick in his first career start. As well as Coney finding the net for the fourth time to help put the Lakers up 20-3 at half. 

The Lakers proceeded to beat the Kangaroos 26-9 on the very special day. As the final whistle was blown for the game, the crowd erupted for the Lakers as all players sprinted to the goal to celebrate the win. 

Senior captain Seamus Hand has been a 3-year starter for the Lakers and has two SUNYAC 1st team awards, looking for his third straight this year.  “This team means everything to me, I say every time the season is going great, but its really about the people that Ive met along the way.” says Hand after playing only in the first quarter before backup senior Tyler Novak went in goal to finish out the half. 

Another senior captain, Hayden Coney, says, “The last four years have been amazing, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” Along with learning valuable skills not just on the field but off as well, Coney said learning how to be a part of a brotherhood was very important, and learning how to have each other’s backs through thick and thin. 

The Lakers’ season isn’t quite over yet, as they still have three SUNYAC games left, facing off against Oneonta, New Paltz, and Potsdam, as they look to continue yet another historic run, looking to make it to the SUNYAC postseason tournament for the fourth consecutive year.