The Oswego State women’s hockey team gets a much needed win, after defeating Morrisville State 4-2. This was a huge win for the Lakers, after getting shut out by the Mustangs last Friday. With the win, Oswego State sits in second in the conference, two points ahead of the third place SUNY Potsdam Bears.

In the first period, Morrisville State got off to a great start and gave Oswego State difficulties of getting out of its defensive zone. Rachael Farmer stepped up for her team by making some crucial saves to keep Morrisville State off the board. 

Things soon turned around for the Lakers, as senior captain Kate Randazzo gave the Lakers an early lead at 5:18 into the first period. Off of an offensive zone faceoff, Randazzo fired a shot from the point, which managed to squeak by Lacey Friesen’s five-hole.

After the goal from Randazzo, Oswego State generated more offensively, by moving the puck better. This led to the team going on the power play, after Alana Palamenta was called for interference. However, the Mustangs penalty kill and forecheck proved to be too much for the Lakers to handle, as they only took two shots on goal and had difficulty keeping the puck in the offensive zone. 

As the first period continued, it was a battle defensively between both teams, as each side did not get many shots on goal. This strong defensive play benefited both goalies, as the defenses helped take some pressure off of them. 

The defensive battle continued in the second as both teams’ strong play on the forecheck made it difficult to escape the zone. This resulted in stagnant play on both sides and a struggle to generate shots.

Oswego State went on their second power play of the game early in the second period, after Maddison Devlin was called for a hooking penalty. The Lakers‘ power play could not produce a goal, as the Morrisville State forecheck continued to flourish.

As the second period continued, both teams only managed to get a combined five shots on goal. Things soon began to turn around for Morrisville State, as Mackenzie Lombardi tied the game at 17:34 of the period. Desite being outnumbered by several Oswego State skaters, Lombardi found her way to the faceoff circles and rifled a shot past Farmer’s right shoulder.

Even though the second period was coming to an end, that was not the end for the Mustangs’ scoring, as Lombari scored another goal on the same shift, just 18 seconds later at 17:52. Assistant coach Megan Ahern credited the Mustangs’ for playing with passion in the first two periods.

“Their goals came when they were playing with a little more flavor than we were,” Ahern said. “For the first two periods, we lacked passion and [they were the ones] buzzing around, playing with passion. Those two goals definitely woke us up.”

Oswego State had to change its mindset heading into the third period, in order to make a comeback. Head coach Diane Dillon discussed how her team changed its style of play in the third period.

“We had to get our feet moving,” Dillon said. “We had the opportunity to go out on our own ice and take that game. We challenged [our players] and they did it.”

Heading into the third period, Morrisville State’s strong forecheck continued, but it did not last long, as the Lakers were able to tie the game at 8:01 into the third. While waiting on a delayed penalty against the Mustangs, Megan Teachout raced through the neutral zone into the offensive end and fired a puck just past Friesen, who appeared to get the knob of her stick on the puck before it trickled in. 

Oswego State went on back to back power plays, where Philomena Teggart gave her team a one goal lead at 11:23 off of a heavy slap shot from just above the circle.

As the third period began to wind down, the Lakers did not take their foot off of the gas, as Eryn Stewart was able to score off a rebound at 17:22, guaranteeing that her team would finish the night with a win. Dillon was very pleased that the team won, especially with the season coming to an end where these games can affect playoff implications.

“This game was big on so many different levels,” Dillon said. “We’ve had a lot of ties lately and it’s just fun to win. Build up a little confidence in the girls, and we showed that we can come from behind.”

The Lakers will travel to Utica College on Saturday for their next game to attempt to get their second win in a row. Puck drop is 2:00p.m.

Photo by Ben Griceo | The Oswegonian