Last Time Out

The Oswego State women’s ice hockey program faced nationally-ranked Elmira College on Nov. 4. In a tough 4-1 loss to the Soaring Eagles, three of the goals came from the first period on a power play. The Lakers’ penalty kill unit went 6-9 on the night. Senior Victoria Blake returned to the blue line for the Lakers as well, giving extra experience on defense. Freshman Jean-Marie Padden had the lone goal late in the game.

Buffalo State is coming off a loss as well, to SUNY Potsdam on Nov. 4. The team lost 2-1. Natasha Steinle, who is in a three-way tie for the leading scorer for the Bengals, had the goal on a power play. Goaltender Justine Silva had 19 saves in net. Buffalo State’s offense also had a decent amount of shots, firing 38 shots on net. The Bengals went 1-4 on the power play.

Lakers vs. Buffalo State History

The Lakers and Buffalo State have a very large, and rivaled history. With numerous factors, including Dillon and multiple players being from the Buffalo area, this rivalry is like no other. If there was one key factor, however, it would be the transfer of Rachel Lenard, who played for only a year and a half at Oswego State before transferring. Lenard, now a senior, has four goals against the Lakers. She scored three last season.

Their rivalry dates back to when Dillon revitalized the women’s program in 2006-2007. As Eastern College Athletic Conference West opponents, they faced each other at least twice a year, with a third meeting in 2014 and 2016 during the championships. The Lakers have a 17-6-1 record against the Bengals, since 2006-2007. Last season, both games were in Oswego. They split the weekend, with the Lakers losing the Saturday matchup 2-1, and winning the Sunday matchup 5-1.

Both teams are now in the same conference, even with the change for the Lakers. They are in the Northeastern Women’s Hockey League. This will be the first two of four meetings during the season.

Looking at Buffalo State

Buffalo State is returning a majority of their roster, after losing only three seniors from the 2016-2017 season. They return their top six scorers from last season, which includes Lenard, who had 24 points last season. The three-way tie for leading scorer, which includes Steinle and Lenard, also includes Bri Carroll, who has a goal and an assist.

Senior Justine Silva, who has started all four games for the Bengals so far, currently has a .948 save percentage, despite a 1-3-0 record. Silva will most likely be taking the starting nod against the Lakers, who has an all-time record of 3-4 against Oswego State.

Buffalo State also brings in a completely new coaching staff this year. Head coach Jennifer Wilson will be looking to gain momentum in the NEWHL against Oswego State this weekend. Assistant coach Sarah Hamar will be facing her former team as well, as she was a Laker during her collegiate career.

Player Spotlight

OSW: Jean-Marie Padden

Jean-Marie Padden has made her name known early in the season as a freshman. With two goals and an assist, Padden has been given free-reign, due to having a very large skill-set, according to Dillon. In all the Lakers’ games so far, she’s been all over the ice both on defense and offense. The Cranford, New Jersey, native will be looking to continue her recent success in her first conference matchup against Buffalo State.

BUF: Rachel Lenard

Lenard has had a lot of success against her former team. While she wasn’t with Oswego State long, she had 19 points in her year and a half, which included 11 goals and eight assists. She was named the ECAC West’s All-Academic team last season, after her 24-point season with the Bengals. She’ll be marked as one of the top forwards for the Lakers to keep their eye on, as she and Natasha Steinle take the ice for the weekend.

By the Numbers

RECORD (vs. each other)

OSW: 2-1-0 (17-6-1)

BUF: 1-3-0 (6-17-1)

SHOTS (per game)

OSW: 115 (38.3)

BUF: 111 (27.8)

GOALS (per game)

OSW: 9 (3.0)

BUF: 5 (1.7)

POWER PLAY (percentage)

OSW: 5-19 (26.3%)

BUF: 1-14 (7.1%)

Prediction

The Lakers will be looking for their first, and possibly second, conference win this weekend. But, the initial test will be the first matchup to see where the Lakers stand against the Bengals. It won’t be easy, as the Bengals are returning all but three players this season.

History has proven well for the Lakers, with some ups and downs throughout the season. They’ll have to find a way to get past Silva early to maintain momentum going into this weekend. Madrigal will most likely have the same situation she had last weekend, with a decent amount of shots on goal. New players will be key for the Lakers as they play against a long-time rival. The freshman will also have to get right into the game fast, during their first conference game as a Laker.

Both teams have top scorers, but the Lakers have that edge with underclassmen and strong defensive unit. However, they’ll have to break Buffalo State’s penalty killing unit first, who is 18-18 on the season, so far.

Lakers win 4-2.