Oswego Lakers: The Quiet Emergence in the SUNYAC Spotlight

The Oswego Lakers defeated the Skidmore Thoroughbreds in the SUNYAC semifinals, and will advance to play the undefeated Hobart Statesmen in the SUNYAC championship game this weekend.

The Lakers lit the lamp six times in the SUNYAC spotlight, and the Oswego offense that averaged four goals-per-game through the regular season, was propelled to victory with big contributions from unexpected sources. The five goal-scorers combined for just 21 goals in the regular season, but made things happen when it mattered most – stepping up for their squad and solidifying a spot in the SUNYAC championship, the second straight appearance for the Lakers.

Opening the scoring for the Lakers was senior defensemen Jonathan Balah, his first goal since November 8th. An impressive strike for the alternate captain, as Balah intercepted the puck from a Skidmore defensemen and slapped a one-timer from beyond the face-off circle, just past Thoroughbreds Goalie Tommy Aitken. Balah has been a quiet contributor for the Lakers this season with just one goal during the regular season, but the defensemen struck first, giving the Lakers a 1-0 lead with 7:28 left in the first period.

“It feels good… the energy from the crowd after that goal was just fantastic… we had a ton of chances before that… so I think putting one in the back of the net really helped up continue to get the ball rolling,” said Balah during an interview after the first period on WTOP10

Just a few minutes later, sophomore forward Michael Urgo knocked in a deflection off the shot of defensemen Travis Baker, slotting the puck just inside the post. Urgo has appeared in 22 games for the Lakers, and finished the regular season with two goals and two assists. It was the first collegiate postseason goal for Urgo, as he delivered just under 15 minutes into the game.

Now with a two-goal lead, sophomore Adam Grenier found himself wide open just outside of the crease, and received a beautiful pass from behind the goal, and hit the five-hole of Aitken. Grenier has been hot recently for the Lakers, but appeared in just nine regular season games, tallying three goals and two assists. Skidmore was able to respond in the final minute of the period, but after the first 20 minutes, the Lakers led 3-1.

After the first intermission, and a fire drill inside the Deborah F. Stanley Ice Arena, the Oswego attack stayed persistent, with a Justin Ryan goal just 3:10 into the second period. The possession started with the team-leading goal scorer Colin Vassallo, who fed a cross-ice pass to Drake Semrad, who then sent a missile inside to Ryan. All that was required was a light tap of the twig, and the Lakers led 4-1.

“It means everything… but it’s a team sport… the team played unreal… it was a full 60 minute game,” said Ryan when asked about his two goal performance in a postgame interview with WTOP10

A relatively quiet second period kept the same score heading into the final 20 minutes. Skidmore would be the first to strike in the third period, with an Oscar Worob goal cutting the Lakers lead to just two goals. However, the brief momentum held by the Thoroughbreds was silenced by the stick of Brandon Cohen, who buried a slap shot past the lunging Aitken, scoring in his fourth consecutive game. Cohen picked up his ninth goal of the season, and Vassallo picked up his third assist of the night.

“It was a huge goal and all I can think about is the next game… we’re gonna move on… enjoy tonight… and think about next Saturday against Hobart,” said Cohen during a postgame interview with WTOP10

Skidmore was able to respond, with a Mitchell Floccare goal in the final five minutes, but the silencer came with a minute left in the game, as Justin Ryan introduced the puck to the empty net for his second goal of the night. Led by Ryan and his two-goal performance, the Lakers would advance.

It was a dominant win all-around for Oswego, with 11 different Lakers recording a point. Justin Ryan finished with two goals and an assist, and leading goal-scorer Colin Vassallo found success passing the puck, ending with three assists. Backed by freshman Goalie Michael Manzi and his 20 saves, the Lakers were firing on all cylinders.

“The boys make it easy… and you know it’s fun,” said Vassallo in a postgame interview with WTOP10

The SUNYAC Championship will be Saturday, March 7th in Geneva, while the Lakers will look to snap the undefeated season of the Hobart Statesmen. It will be an uphill battle, as the Statesmen have won 67 consecutive home games, which is the active NCAA record. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m.