Men’s primed for deep run

With the Oswego State men’s hockey team returning all but four seniors from last year, it seems primed to repeat their efforts from last season. While the team failed to win the SUNYAC, it received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The biggest surprise at the press conference was the absence of David Richer who was there a year ago. Sentiments around the student media organizations at that realization was that the starting goaltender job was up for grabs. By no means was Richer bad last season. His .903 save percentage looks worse than he actually was, considering Richer only faced 22 shots per game. Certainly there were times where he struggled with controlling rebounds, but the team aroud him failed to clear the puck away. Head coach Ed Gosek validated the belief that the starting job was available as he said the role would not be filled the same way it was in the past. 

Having a goaltending competition should be very beneficial for both Richer and his more than capable backup from last season, Cedric Hansen. When both were sophomores two years ago, the early portion of the season was more of an even split until Richer took over. This competition propelled both goalies to excellent seasons. Richer put up historically good numbers with a save percentage of .934.

Another thing to note heading into the season is how Jeff Solow might play. The mid-season transfer from Div. I Merrimack College did not play to his potential last season. In his 11 games last year, Solow had one assist and was a +2 rating. Despite this, he seemed to turn the puck over a bit too much compared to his skill level. A big reason for that is the fact that he did not have much time to gel with the team or get comfortable with the system. Solow is a quick, puck-moving defenseman who is not afraid to jump in on the rush. With more familiarity among his teammates and Gosek’s system, expect Solow to be able to carry the puck out of his own end more effectively than last year.

With most of the roster returning, as well as 91% of the goal production from last season, the team should be able to get off to a quick start. The team has been together since August, where it participated in a tour of Italy, playing games and spending time together as a team. All four captains and Gosek said that the trip helped them mesh and become even closer. With a massive senior class of 14, it feels as if this could be a great chance for the Lakers to reach the Frozen Four for the first time since 2014. Every season, Oswego State has talent, but winning NCAA tournament games goes beyond talent. It is about being battle tested, and this group has that. Last season was a great stepping stone to something even better. Experiencing two conference playoff games as well as an NCAA Quarterfinals game can help Oswego State this time around. 

It is no secret that teams lose players to graduation every season. Despite this, some hit harder than others. It is not that SUNY Geneseo lost more firepower than the Lakers did, but they did lose their starting goalie in Devin McDonald who is an absolute stud. He was named Div. III player of the year. McDonald played in 26 games, recording a save percentage of .920 and a goals against average of 1.12. The Knights also lost their two best defensemen in Mitch Ferguson and Duggie Lagrone.

At the end of the day, the rest of the SUNYAC does not matter. Oswego State’s fate is in its own hands, and the Lakers are capable of great things.

Women’s roster increases 

While the women’s team graduated only two seniors from last year, three underclassmen from 2018-19 are not on the returning roster. Jean-Marie Padden, Cassie Shokar and Skylar Byrne all left the team. Despite this, the team still returns 84% of the 51 goals they scored last year.

As for goaltending, the absence of Cassie Shokar will put more pressure on senior goalie Rachel Farmer. The Lakers will only carry two goalies on the year, with freshman Tatyana Trovato backing up Farmer. In her career with SUNY Cortland, Farmer was used to playing almost every single game, something she did not do last year. As a sophomore, she played in 24 of the 25 games and 93% of all minutes on the season. Farmer can certainly replicate that type of performance this season with the Lakers, but she probably will not have to do so. Head coach Diane Dillon prides herself on giving all her players, freshmen especially, a chance to play as long as they put in the effort in practices. Despite this, Farmer is likely to play in around 22 games, seven more than last year. In 2016, Dillon had her starter, Mariah Madrigal, play 22 games with freshman backup Amber Samonek starting four. 

Farmer should excel with the increased role, given how strucutrally sound Oswego State’s defensive system is. The team returns all six of their defenders from last season, who only gave up an average of 2.2 goals per game. As the three sophomores on this defensive core continue to grow, this is a number that could be improved even more. 

With Dillon bringing in seven new players, the roster grew to 22. This leaves the team with one scratch every game as the NCAA allows teams to carry two goalies and a 19th skater. This additional depth is not common for the Lakers as it appears that Dillon does not over-recruit. Having the extra player is very important when injuries or illnesses arise. Early in the season, sophomore Emily Gustafson will not be eligible to play until her cross country season ends in November. Last year, the Lakers had to play down a skater, leading to some difficulties. 

While last season had negative sentiments attached to it, some forget how close the Lakers were to hosting a playoff game. Two points separated the fourth place Lakers and SUNY Potsdam, who finished in second. Had the Lakers received a fortuitous bounce, they would avoid traveling to Plattsburgh State until the NEWHL finals if the Lakers won in the semifinals. Ultimately, that has to be the initial goal for this Lakers team. In the two-year history on the NEWHL, the Cardinals have won 31 of 32 games. Their only blemish was a tie against Oswego State in 2017-18. With that in mind, the conference is manageable for Oswego State, outside of Plattsburgh State. The division added two teams from the Colonial Hockey Conference (CHC), Morrisville State and SUNY Canton. Morrisville State finished the season with an overall record of 16-9-2 and in third place in the conference. SUNY Canton was not far behind in fourth place. 

With a large sophomore class, the Lakers need them to carry over the production they offered from 2018. Sarah Cruise, one of these sophomores, led the team in points (15). With her expected growth, as well as growth from the rest of the team, Oswego State could flip their luck from last season and host a NEWHL playoff game.