Oneonta State scored five unanswered goals midway through the first half to erase a 4-2 deficit and never looked back en route to a 15-7 win against Oswego in SUNYAC women's lacrosse action this afternoon. The win for the Red Dragons was its third consecutive conference victory and raised its overall record to 8-5 while the Lakers fell to 4-6 overall and 1-3 in conference play.

Oneonta scored the game's first goal in the fifth minute of the contest, which came unassisted by senior Rachael Litts (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glenville).

Oswego came right back with three unanswered goals to take the lead in the 13th minute of the opening half. Freshman Rachel Ventresca (Syracuse, NY/Henniger) tied the game with an assist from junior Andrea Poor (Oswego, NY/Oswego).

Less than one minute later senior Tricia McNeilly (Lindenhurst, NY/Lindenhurst) tallied on a free position shot to put the Lakers ahead 2-1 before setting up junior Ashley Andersen (Cortland, NY/Homer) for a 3-1 lead.

After a goal by sophomore Brianne Ruzek (Mineola, NY/St. Mary) cut Oswego's lead to 3-2, Poor scored again off an assist from Ventresca to give the Lakers its two-goal lead back.

Oneonta then took control off the game with Litts leading the way. She scored three times during Oneonta's five-goal run and then added her fifth goal of the half with 19 seconds to go to give the Red Dragons a 9-6 lead at halftime.

Oneonta's defense was strong in the second half led by sophomore goalie Eileen O'Toole (Long Beach, NY/Long Beach), who made a total of 16 saves for the game including eight in the second half.

The Red Dragons scored six straight goals in the second half before allowing a late goal for the final margin of victory.

McNeilly and Ventresca led Oswego with two goals and one assist each today.

Oneonta will be in action again this Tuesday at home with a game versus Geneseo beginning at 4:00 p.m.

2007-04-21