Oswego answers Friday’s loss with overtime win against Utica 

The Oswego State women’s ice hockey team split a two-game series against the Utica Pioneers, dropping 3-2 at home Friday before responding with a 2-1 overtime victory on the road Saturday. 

The Lakers started the weekend with their home opener and Military Appreciation Night on Nov. 6 before traveling to Utica, for the rematch Nov. 7. 

Despite Friday’s setback, Oswego bounced back the following afternoon, earning their third win of the season behind a strong performance from goaltender Mia Devivo and an overtime game winner from Julia Power.  

Oswego came into Friday’s matchup looking to protect its undefeated start, but Utica struck first when Autumn Frear found the back of the net at 15:21 in the first period. Assisted by Dylan DiGrazia, Frear gave the Pioneers a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission. 

The Lakers responded in the second period when Power converted at 12:29, with Katie Demers recording the assist. However Utica answered less than five minutes later as Veronica Houlk scored at 17:08 assisted by Maya Jerome and Kyler Weatherred, restoring the Pioneers 2-1 lead.

Oswego continued to battle into the third period, finding another equalizer when Logan McCreight scored at 9:44, unassisted. 

With the game knotted at two, both teams looked for the deciding goal, but Utica found the back of the net late in regulation. Kendall Best scored at 19:30, assisted by Scarlett Smith and Julia Chedel, handing the Pioneers a 3-2 victory with less than a minute remaining. 

Despite the loss, the Lakers outshot Utica 27-21. Annie-Pier Gilbert kept Oswego within reach throughout the contest, recording 18 saves, while Utica goaltender Yael Fatiev turned away 25 shots to help secure the win. 

The Lakers carried offensive pressure into Saturday’s rematch, but both team remained scoreless throughout the first two periods. 

Oswego generated opportunities through the opening 40 minutes, outshooting the Pioneers 15-10 in the first period and 8-5 in the second. Fatiev continued to hold her own in net, keeping the Lakers off the scoreboard despite their offensive efforts. 

Oswego finally broke through in the third period when Georgia Cunliffe scored at 5:58 on the power play. Assisted by Lauren Riccobelli and Shaye Jasiel, Cunliffe gave the Lakers a 1-0 lead and put them in a position to earn the weekend split. 

Utica answered at 11:26 when Frear scored on the power play, assisted by Veronica Houk and Samantha Dobrzynski. The equalizer brought the game to 1-1, sending the matchup towards another close finish. 

With neither team able to find the go ahead goal in regulation, the Lakers headed into overtime looking to complete the comeback and bounce back from Friday’s loss. Power delivered the deciding goal at 4:44 of the extra period, finishing a wrap-around play by Demers and Cunliffe to secure Oswego’s 2-1 victory. 

Devivio played a key role in the win, stopping 20 shots through regulation and overtime to keep the Lakers in contention. Fatiev also delivered an impressive performance for Utica, recording 35 saves on the afternoon. 

The Lakers finished Saturday with a 37-21 advantage in shots on goal, continuing to generate offensive opportunities throughout the rematch. 

Oswego also capitalized on one of its five power play opportunities, with Cunliffe’s third period goal giving the team its first lead of the afternoon. 

The split leaves Oswego with a 3-1 record to open the season, while Utica moves to 2-2.

The Lakers will look to carry momentum into their next matchup Nov. 13, when they travel to William Smith for a 3 p.m. puck drop at The Cooler. The SUNYAC matchup will give Oswego another opportunity to carry their offensive pressure from Saturday’s win into conference play.