The Oswego State women’s ice hockey team stayed home for the weekend, welcoming in no. 13 Plattsburgh State on Feb. 13 and SUNY Potsdam on Feb. 14.

The Lakers allowed no goals over the two outings, tying the Cardinals at zero and then recording a 2-0 shutout over the Bears. Oswego, who now holds a SUNYAC record of 6-4-2 alongside a point total of 14, has secured a spot in the conference tournament with their win over Potsdam. Oswego held their absolute own against the no. 13 team in the nation on Friday, allowing zero goals through 60 minutes.

The Lakers won a majority of faceoffs in the first period, but could not turn the possessions into goals. That notion survived in both the second and third periods, as both goalies showcased incredible displays of defense to fend off momentum from their opposition. Both teams clocked into a five-minute overtime period. Seven total shots were had in the final minutes, but none found the back of the net. Mia DeVivo ended with 31 saves, her third-highest total on the season, meanwhile Maddy Stetson collected 27, marking a career-high for the sophomore. 

The Lakers returned to the Deb on Saturday and clinched another shutout against the Bears. The Lakers held firm puck control throughout a good amount of the first period against the Bears, firing six shots on net within the first five minutes. Although all of them turned unsuccessful, it signified an ability to at least produce chances on opposing goalie Magalie Parent. The Cardinals attempted to establish their own rhythm with a few shots, but Laker goalie Mia DeVivo played as advertised, making two pivotal saves 10 seconds apart from each other. 

Oswego set the tempo early on against Potsdam, as Natalie Loncz put her alertness on display and found the back of the net on a tip-in off of a shot from Georgia Cunliffe, just two minutes and 53 seconds in for the first of her two goals on the day. The Lakers continually found offensive opportunities following the conversion, but Parent continuously held her own in between the pipes and made four saves from 9:52 to 6:03. Furthermore, the individual defense of Potsdam played up to par, as Rachelle Cain and Josie Purdy both blocked a shot. 

The Bears found themselves on a power play with three minutes and 54 seconds remaining due to a roughing call on Sydney Pinti. The Lakers’ penalty kill took precedence, though, as the Bears were not able to get a single shot off during the man-advantage. The opening period ended with a save from Mia DeVivo and the Lakers took a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

The Lakers began the second period at a fast pace, launching 11 shots on net within the first ten minutes. The Bears were only able to get attempts on net afterwards, before Loncz flew in front of the net and capitalized on a miscalculated pass from Cain to hand the Lakers a two-goal cushion heading into the final break.

As was the case with the previous two periods, the Lakers won the opening faceoff to signify the start of the final 20 minutes. It was a defense-oriented battle throughout all of the third period, with the Lakers killing their second power play of the game nine minutes in, courtesy of two crucial saves from DeVivo. 

Offensive stability was then hard to come by for the Bears; yet even with a two-goal lead, the Lakers did not let their foot off the gas pedal. They closed out the final period with a slew of shots on goal, many of them coming during a man-advantage that came from Potsdam having too many players on the ice. Defense remained a priority for the Lakers, too, as their opponent was able to only get four shots off within the final six minutes. The contest concluded with a faceoff win for the Lakers, signaling a larger victory that propelled them into a SUNYAC playoff spot on senior night.

Oswego celebrated their sole senior, Britanny Iversen, who was a crucial piece in Saturday’s victory with seven faceoff wins and three shots.