Oswego Women’s hockey defeated Cortland 4-0 in their home opener Friday night, at the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena.
The first quarter brought edgy, defensive battle. Cortland and Oswego had eight and seven shots, respectively, but only a couple of them had goal-scoring potential. Both defenses played strong enough where offenses had to take shots that lacked quality. Time of possession was a little in the Laker’s favor, but both teams struggled to keep the puck for long.
“We started pretty sluggishly,” Coach Dillon said, “We were pretty sloppy. It was a difficult week for the team so I anticipated we might be a little slow to start.”
Each team had a power play in the first period, but couldn’t capitalize on either. Erika Truscke was called for cross-checking in the 15th minute, but goalie Tori Trovato made a couple of clutch saves killing the power play, and allowing the Lakers to get back to full strength.
Dillon mentioned the Truschke penalty, “She (Treschke) had a very tough first period. I called her out for taking an offensive zone penalty, a hit behind which is absolutely unacceptable. She channeled it and came out to be our spark.”
If you blinked in the 2nd period, there is a chance you missed a goal. In a span of three and a half minutes, the Lady Lakers scored three goals, and separated themselves in the game.
“As a coach I’d love to think it’s my inspirational words,” Dillon chuckled. “But we made a few adjustments and talked through some of the things Cortland was doing that we weren’t picking up very well. “
The period started off with both offenses visibly more aggressive, taking more shots, but better shots as well.
“I shortened the bench, and created more flow.”
Through ten minutes no one had scored still, but the chances were becoming more frequent.
Coach Dillon was pleased with the turn of events.
“I was really happy with how we turned up the intensity.”
The first goal was by Erika Truschke, who got the rebound off the goalie and put it in with eight minutes left in the period. The goal was big for Truschke, because only minutes before, she was down on the ice after being hit by Cortland defender Madison Fischl. She was slow to get up off the ice, but was headed back out only minutes later, and her impact was significant.
Moments later the Lakers found the goal again, this time Lydia Cosgrove, with the assist from Luschke.
The third goal of the period was Brennan Butler, who was unassisted, and really widened the difference in this game.
Oswego showed incredible efficiency in the 2nd period, scoring three times on fourteen shots, and keeping the Cortland defense on check the entire period.
The time of possession on the offense made it much easier for the defense, as they only surrendered four shots the entire period.
Momentum for the Lakers carried over into the third period, as they scored 43 seconds in. Scoring was Rachel Lenard, assist from Andrea Noss who has been very impressive thus far in her freshman campaign.
Lenard’s goal marked the fourth in nine minutes for Oswego.
However, in the third period, the Lakers found themselves at the wrong side of the penalties. That’s one of the very few things Dillon wants to improve on.
“We survived a ridiculous third period in the box, when one of the keys to the third period was being disciplined, they did the opposite of that.”
The rest of the game played out, and Oswego picked up their 2nd win of the season. Overall, the Lakers outshot the Red Dragons, 26-17, and only allowed nine shots in the final two periods.
Coach Dillon spoke highly of the freshman that have debuted this year.
“We’re trying to develop some chemistry, they’re an exciting group to watch. They’re skilled. I think they’re learning the college game and the speed of it, and the physicality of it. As a unit they’ve been doing a lot of the little things right.”
Oswego has not lost to Cortland under leadership of Coach Dillon, and they look to continue that impressive streak tomorrow, home, at 3 p.m.
