The Oswego State women’s ice hockey team was able to come away with a win in their season opener on Friday night. The Lakers set the pace quick and early, coming away with a 5-0 victory over the New England College Pilgrims. Oswego State is now 5-0-1 all-time against the Pilgrims.

Oswego State proved their dominance on offense throughout the entire game, throwing 58 shots on goal. All but one skater had at least one shot on goal, senior Olivia Ellis led all players with eight shots, with four in the second period.

“It’s great, it means we’re putting ourselves in positions to take shots,” head coach Diane Dillon said. “Hopefully we’ll get better this year at choosing our spots, especially when we have a step or two.”

Oswego State was also able to take advantage of the seven penalties that New England College gave up. The Lakers went 4-for-7 on the power play after not focusing on it too much for the exhibition against Toronto. The power play was a key focus this week during practice, according to Dillon.

“We spent a lot more time on the power play,” Dillon said. “Working on what we want to do with the puck, where we want the puck to go, things like that. I thought we did a very nice job with possession.”

Sophomore Kate Randazzo was able to contribute to the power play in an important way, as well. She produced three assists in the game, two of which came on power play goals. Randazzo said they wanted to produce on the power play, and knew to prepare for penalties based on New England College last season.

“I think the [power play] unit worked really well together,” Randazzo said. “It’s kind of new for a lot of us, but we’re coming together really quickly.”

Monica Cramer was able to score her first and second collegiate goals as a senior, both on the power play. She only took two shots in the game, both going past New England goaltender, Jackie Clark.

“It’s exciting for her and the team,” Dillon said. “As a senior, she’s been snake-bit so many times between posts and being robbed. It was nice to see her get her first one, and then all of a sudden the floodgates opened and she gets another one.”

Ellis also came away with a goal and an assist. Her goal was scored when she was outnumbered three-to-one in the offensive zone, proving her confidence in her ability to score. Her goal gave the Lakers a 3-0 lead over the Pilgrims.

“That’s a highlight reel type of goal,” Dillon said. “It’s nice to see players as they progress, and their confidence grows. Ellis wouldn’t have done that as a freshman or a sophomore, she’s got confidence with that puck.”

Cramer was also a key factor in the penalty kill, which the Lakers only dealt with twice throughout the game. Cramer was able to keep the puck in the Pilgrim’s zone in order to prevent anything from generating in the Laker’s zone.

“We’ve been working on PK really hard in practice,” Cramer said. “[Morisette] did a really good job, too.”

Laker’s goaltender, senior Mariah Madrigal faced an easy night, shot-wise, only taking seven shots in the entire game. She was only tested once in the third period and played all sixty minutes with no bench-time. However, she will be facing a much different situation on Saturday against Castleton University.

“It’s tough to stay focused,” Dillon said. “But Mariah is one most tenacious goaltenders that I’ve ever met. She’s stubborn, determined, and competitive. She will find a way to keep her head in the way, regardless.”

The Lakers look to Saturday against Castleton, who defeated Becker College 7-2 on Friday night. The team will also be hosting their third annual TEAL night, in honor of Mary Gosek as well as raising awareness for ovarian cancer.

“Obviously it’ll be an emotional day for us, for all of the Laker hockey family as we honor Mary Gosek,” Dillon said. “Castleton is a stronger team, they had a big win today. They’ll be coming here hoping to continue that. We expect a bit more of a challenge.”

The puck will drop at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena, as the Oswego State Lakers take on the Castleton University Spartans for TEAL night.