Fredonia State University Comebacks & Clutch Saves Highlight SUNYAC Win

FREDONIA, N.Y. – The Oswego State women's lacrosse team upended host Fredonia 10-9 on Thursday afternoon – its first triumph over the Blue Devils since 2007 – at University Stadium. Oswego improves to 6-2 overall with the victory, and more importantly, 2-1 in SUNYAC action. The Blue Devils drop to 4-9 on the year and remain winless in conference play (0-3).

Prior to Thursday's game, Oswego and Fredonia posed together in 'Team Molly' t-shirts (pictured), showing support for former Buffalo State lacrosse player Molly Seifritz, who passed away in 2013 after a long battle with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.

After trailing 3-1 in the early going, Oswego rallied for five of the game's next seven goals to hold a
6-5 edge at the half. In the second half, the Lakers notched the period's first goal before Fredonia score three-straight to regain the lead. The two squads then traded tallies before Esther Gabriel found the back of the net for the contest' final two goals and an Oswego win.

Those points capped a career day for the senior, as Gabriel recorded six goals to lead the Lakers past Fredonia. The Lancaster, N.Y. native was extremely efficient, scoring on all but one of her shot attempts and on every opportunity that was on cage. She also was a perfect 2-for-2 on free-position shots and tied classmate Emily Lange with a team-high two draw controls. Continuing to fill the stat sheet, Gabriel forced Fredonia into two turnovers, tying another team-high along with Nicole Granteed, Danielle Walker, Angela Ponto and Lange. Ponto and Granteed paced Oswego in the ground ball category, collecting four and three, respectively.

Four other Lakers record a goal on Thursday, including Lange, Erannan Shattuck, Teresa Shattuck and Gemma O'Kane. E. Shattuck had a multiple-point outing, distributing an assist on the Lakers first goal of the second half. Also chipping in an assist was Briana Kimble, who found Lange with just eight seconds remaining in the opening period, sending Oswego to the locker room with an advantage.

Ponto was solid in net for the visiting team, as she made 13 saves to keep Oswego close throughout. None were more important than the three the sophomore made in the final 2:06 to preserve the 10-9 lead and earn her sixth victory of the season.

Oswego will ride the momentum into Saturday, when it hosts the reigning national champion and unanimous No.1-ranked Cortland Red Dragons at 2:30 p.m.